Completed Event: Softball versus #14 Arizona on April 5, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 8
Final
Softball
7
#14 Arizona
8
Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclone Softball Position Preview: Pitchers
01.30.2020 | Softball
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State softball team enters the 2020 campaign as a relatively young, but exciting, squad – and nowhere is that more evident than when looking at the Cyclone pitching staff. Following the program's winningest season since 1982 and the graduation of its two most experience pitchers, third-year head coach Jamie Pinkerton knows there's no substitute for experience. However, he's excited to see a talented crop of young Cyclones get their chance in the Cardinal & Gold.
Pitchers
In the circle, Pinkerton and outstanding pitching coach Kate Sinnott will be working with returning sophomore Shannon Mortimer, along with a trio of freshmen in Karlie Charles, Janessa Jasso and Ellie Spelhaug. It is no small task to replace now-graduates in Emma Hylen and Savannah Sanders, both of whom rank among Iowa State's top-five in career starts and appearances. Hylen, an All-Midwest Region selection in 2019, graduated as ISU's all-time saves leader, and tallied 19 wins with a 2.75 ERA as a senior.
With an influx of so much young talent this season, Pinkerton is excited to watch how Sinnott is able to develop her bullpen.
"We went from a very experienced staff to very young," Pinkerton said. "I think what Kate is thinking with the youth that we have, until we can get them up to speed with the Division I game, is bullpen-by-committee. One thing Kate does a great job of is matching up our pitchers with the opponent that we're playing. We really like this group, and I think they complement each other very well."
Mortimer, who transitions from being the fresh-faced newcomer to the most experience pitcher on staff, returns following a promising freshman season. The native of South Grafton, Mass., compiled a 6-4 record last season and ranked second on staff with a 3.39 ERA and 38 strikeouts. With 86.2 innings of work and a complete season of collegiate softball under her belt, Pinkerton is hoping to see Mortimer help her freshman teammates adjust to the Division I game.
The trio of freshmen all came to Iowa State following highly-competitive and accomplished high school careers. Karlie Charles, a native of The Colony, Texas, was the national leader in wins at the prep level for The Colony with 37 in 2019, and was also named an Extra Inning Softball All-American. Jasso, another high-accomplished high school pitcher out of Dos Palos, Calif., racked up an incredible 27-3 record as a senior with a 0.58 ERA en route to All-State honors.
Spelhaug will also be a freshman, but already has a year of collegiate athletics to her name thanks to her unique journey to Iowa State. Spelhaug transferred to Iowa State this year following a season on Bradley's women's basketball team. The Bettendorf, Iowa native helped lead Pleasant Valley to a pair of state titles (2017 & 2018) as a prep. She piled up a 24-2 record with a 0.67 ERA and 133 strikeouts during her senior campaign. She joins the Cyclones this season along with her sister Carli Spelhaug, a true freshman who looks to be an option both at first base and in the outfield this season for ISU.
"What I like about them is that they bring in different characteristics of pitching," Pinkerton said. "It's going to be a very young staff, but they're complementary pieces. Kate has done a good job of increasing their speeds over the fall and as they get stronger I'm excited to see what they can do as they start facing Division I competition."
The young Cyclone pitching staff will get its first opportunities in the circle on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., when Iowa State takes on Memphis in the season-opener in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Players Mentioned
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