The Iowa State Cyclones kicked off their Rebel Invitational journey in Oxford, Mississippi, with an exciting 5-4 victory over Samford on Friday. However, their day took a turn as they faced North Dakota State (NDSU) in an intense extra innings battle, resulting in a challenging 8-6 loss.
Samford Victory Recap
The game against Samford saw a strong start from freshman Abby Huhn on the pitcher’s mound for the Cyclones. Huhn showcased her skills by only allowing two runs in the initial three innings before passing the torch to junior Jaiden Ralston, who ultimately secured the win. Sophomore Lauren Schurman also played a crucial role in closing out the game and earned the save.
The match began with a slow pace, with both teams maintaining a scoreless tie in the first two innings. However, Samford managed to break the deadlock in the third inning with a single that brought in a runner, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Cyclones quickly responded in the fourth inning, with junior Tatum Johnson blasting a home run to level the playing field.
The momentum continued to swing in favor of Iowa State as junior McKenna Andrews delivered a three-run home run, her first of the season, following hits by junior Ashley Minor and sophomore Maddie Knowles. Despite a strong effort from Samford, Andrews’ four RBIs proved to be the game-changer. The Cyclones secured a 5-4 victory, with Schurman’s stellar performance on the mound sealing the deal.
NDSU Matchup Analysis
In their matchup against NDSU, freshman Sami Potvin took the mound for the Cyclones, supported by a strong offensive start featuring a home run from freshman Jessie Clemons and an RBI double from junior Sydney Malott. However, defensive errors plagued Iowa State, allowing the Bison to capitalize on unearned runs.
Despite an early lead, the Cyclones found themselves trailing as NDSU rallied back to take a 3-2 advantage. Iowa State fought back, with junior Reagan Bartholomew and Malott contributing key runs to tie the game at three apiece. The game remained deadlocked until the top of the sixth inning when the Bison pulled ahead with two additional runs.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cyclones faced a 5-3 deficit but mounted a late-game surge, thanks to clutch RBIs from senior Angelina Allen and Malott, sending the game into extra innings. Although Iowa State managed to tie the score at 5-5, NDSU ultimately secured an 8-6 win in the ninth inning, pushing the Cyclones’ season record to 11-12.
As Iowa State prepares for the remaining games at the Rebel Invitational, the team will face off against No. 21 Ole Miss in two matchups scheduled for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Fans eagerly anticipate the Cyclones’ performance as they aim to bounce back from their recent defeat and finish the tournament on a high note.
