Cyclones Fall in Regular Season Finale at Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Iowa State dropped the regular season finale to the Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday afternoon, 3-2. The Cyclones earned the series victory on Saturday afternoon after taking the first two games in the series.

The Cyclones (24-29, 6-12 Big 12) will finish fifth in the Big 12 standings and will face off with Baylor in the first round of the Big 12 Championship later this week. The Jayhawks (24-26, 4-13 Big 12) staved off last place in conference play with the win, earning sixth place and will face Oklahoma State in the first round of the Big 12 Championship.

Carli Spehaug, Sarah Tyree and Camille Marin each had two hits on the day, with both Marin and Spelhaug earning RBI. Part of Spelhaug's two-hit day was her seventh home run of the season, which she belted in the fourth inning.

After earning wins in each of the previous games, Ellie Spelhaug got the start in the circle for Iowa State. Spelhaug pitched 5.2 scoreless innings before being relieved by Saya Swain. Swain would record the final out of the sixth and after walking the leadoff batter in the seventh was replaced by Spelhaug as she would reenter.

How it Happened
Unlike the first two games of the weekend series, Sunday's matchup got off to a much slower offensive start as both teams were scoreless through three innings.

That changed in the top of the fourth, as Carli Spelhaug led the inning off with a solo blast to left field to put the Cyclones up, 1-0. Spelhaug's home run was her seventh of the season, the second most on the team.

Solid pitching and defense from both squads would continue as neither team was able to bring anyone across the plate. Saya Swain entered in relief of Ellie Spelhaug, who threw 5.1 scoreless innings, and got the Cyclones out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth unscathed.

Iowa State snapped the scoring drought in the top of the seventh, bringing in an insurance run to push its lead to 2-0. Sarah Tyree started the inning off with a single up the middle and would have Lea Nelson pinch run. Nelson would steal second and advance to third on a throwing error by the Jayhawk catcher. Camille Marin would come to the plate with one out and hit into a fielder's choice which would allow Nelson to score and put ISU up by two runs.

After six scoreless innings, Kansas finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. A leadoff walk brought Ellie Spelhaug back into the contest where she'd strike out the second batter and force the third into a groundout. With two outs, the Jayhawks showed their resiliency, rattling off three straight hits to walk off the Cyclones and win 3-2.

Sunday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Carli Spelhaug (7)
Kansas: N/A

WP – Katie Brooks (5-5): 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 run (unearned), 0 walks, 0 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Ellie Spelhaug (7-8): 6.1 IP, 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 0 strikeouts

On Deck
Following its regular season finale against the Kansas Jayhawks, Iowa State will shift its attention to the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City which begins on Thursday, May 11. The Cyclones will match up with Baylor in the 4/5 game with the winner moving on to face top seed Oklahoma. Thursday's game is set to start at noon CT.

-ISU-

Next Event

Team Stats

Carli Spelhaug

Sarah Tyree

Camille Marin

Angelina Allen

Players Mentioned

Camille Marin

Lea Nelson

Carli Spelhaug

Ellie Spelhaug

Saya Swain

Sarah Tyree

Players Mentioned

Camille Marin

Lea Nelson

Carli Spelhaug

Ellie Spelhaug

Saya Swain

Sarah Tyree

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics