Completed Event: Softball at #2 Texas Tech on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 6, to, 17 , 5 Inn.
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#2 Texas Tech
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Iowa State University Athletics
Cyclone Softball Position Preview: Catchers
02.01.2020 | Softball
AMES, Iowa – When Iowa State's pitching staff stares in from the circle this season, there will be a different target behind the plate than Cyclone fans have grown accustomed to over the past several years. With the graduation of Kaylee Bosworth, who started 193 games over an outstanding collegiate career, head coach Jamie Pinkerton knows there's a vacancy at catcher.
Fortunately for Pinkerton, he has a number of talented young Cyclones vying for the position in Mikayla Ramos, Jayden McKeague and Morgan Wright. Ramos, who was a Freshman All-Big 12 honoree a season ago, saw limited time behind the plate a season ago, spelling Bosworth on occasion.
"Right now, we're three deep at the position," Pinkerton said. "Mikayala did a good job in the limited opportunities she had last year. She obviously has the most experience and she brings a lot of versatility. She's athletic, has a good arm and we can also use her at other positions. Mikayla's really mindful and has good game savvy. All we have to do is get her more experience at the position."
Ramos, who hit .353 in Big 12 play in 2019, tallied 17 RBI, 11 runs and four doubles while starting 21 games a season ago. Pinkerton was able to deploy her in a number of ways during her rookie campaign, as she's shown the ability to be a catcher, corner infielder or as an offensive weapon in the designated player slot.
Despite having less experience behind the plate at the collegiate level, Pinkerton is also intrigued by what McKeague and Wright bring to the table. McKeague, a sophomore, saw limited action during her true freshman season, but has displayed a strong defensive knack behind the plate.
"Jayden is probably a little more established defensively, and has shown a good understanding of what we need her to do back there," Pinkerton said.
Wright, a freshman out of Katy, Texas, will be another option for Pinkerton at catcher, and thus far its been Wrigtht's bat that has caught her head coach's eye. While she joins the Cyclones after primarily playing catcher at Obra D. Tompkins High School, she'll also have a chance to break into ISU's lineup at the designate player position, thanks to her offensive prowess.
"Morgan comes in, has power and is going to be able to drive the ball," Pinkerton said. "At this point, defensively she's a catcher for us, but we'll look at her at catcher and as a DP."
For a previously published preview of Iowa State's pitching staff, click here.
The Cyclones are set to open the 2020 campaign on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., when Iowa State takes on Memphis in the season-opener in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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