Completed Event: Softball versus Drake on March 25, 2026 , Win , 6, to, 5 , 8 Inn.
Final
Softball
6
Drake
5
Iowa State University Athletics
2024 Cyclone Softball Season Preview
02.06.2024 | Softball
Entering his seventh season at the helm of the Iowa State softball program, Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton is looking to take the Cyclones back to being a regional qualifier. Pinkerton took the program to just its second-ever regional in 2021 and that team's freshmen are now seniors who know what it takes to be great.
The Cyclones have won at least 25 games in each of the last three seasons, making it just the third time in program history that the program achieved the feat. Last year's team finished the season strong, winning 12 of the last 17, but lost some important parts.
Coach Pinkerton sat down to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
Pitching
In the circle, Iowa State on of their main stays from last season – Ellie Spelhaug – to graduation. "Obviously, Ellie is tough to replace," says Pinkerton. He cites her placement, pitch speed and defensive prowess as what made her stand out.
How does Iowa State plan on replacing her production? Well, seniors Saya Swain and Karlie Charles are back, and Pinkerton says they bring stability and leadership with them. Swain is coming off a season where she notched 120 strikeouts and a program-best six saves. Charles dealt with a lingering injury throughout which caused her pitch count to be watched throughout the year.
"Last year, we dealt with a lot of pitch counts and injuries," says Pinkerton. "If we can keep our staff healthy … that's the key."
Pinkerton notes that Tatum Johnson has looked good early and that Jaiden Ralston and Aziza Rodriguez did well in the fall. He knows that the staff gets young in a hurry after Charles and Swain but believes in the talent he and the staff have brought in.
Infield
On the infield, Pinkerton looks to replace both his second and third baseman as well as an all-time catcher in Mikayla Ramos, who is atop multiple top-ten lists in program history.
When asked, Coach Pinkerton mentions that the two starting infield spots are still a work in progress. Whereas, at catcher, he says, "Even though Ramos left, we have experience in Camille Marin. She's been around the block a time or two, and she knows how to catch the pitchers and manage the 'pen." Pink continues, saying that freshman Maddie Knowles has a lot of talent, and he's been impressed with her through the early parts of action.
At second and third, it sounds like it could take a few weeks for people to separate. "Those two spots (second and third) we've moved around quite a bit," says Pinkerton. He mentions that some combination of McKenna Andrews, Ashley Minor, Sophie Maras, Isabelle Nosan and Olivia Wardlow will make up the two openings.
"Those battles will probably go up until game day, and it might be a situation where we move some pieces around until we find the best fit," says Pinkerton.
Cyclone staples return at first and short, as Alesia Ranches (SS) and Carli Spelhaug (1B) have really taken on the leadership role of the infield. "You know what you're getting in those two and they've been consistent difference-makers for us for four, going on five years now," says Pinkerton.
Outfield
Conversely, the outfield is "one of the most solid positions we've got." Spearheaded by Milaysia Ochoa, a 2023 All-Big 12 Second Team member, the outfield figures to be the most consistent position for the Cyclones. Joining Ochoa in the outfield is Angelina Allen. The two of them are the team's captains for the second straight season.
"We've got Tiana Poole and Kali Gose in a pitched battle for right field," Coach Pinkerton adds. Like the infield battles at second and third, the rightfield job could take a few games to determine who comes out on top.
Freshmen
"Our freshmen have been great, and they're growing day to day," says Coach Pinkerton. He mentions that there are some days when they look like real contributors but others when they look like first-year athletes. Once the team gets into the heat of battle though, Coach believes they'll be up for the challenge.
"I know they're capable of handling it. As a staff, we just have to make sure they're as ready as they can be," Pinkerton adds that the main thing is to plug in the athletes so they can succeed. Once the nerves get knocked off in game action, they'll be able to better settle in to the college environment.
Seniors
Over half the team is upperclassmen, ten of whom are seniors who are scheduled to graduate at the end of the year. Says Pinkerton, "We're going to get young in a hurry."
Besides the known commodity on the field, Pinkerton says that all of the upperclassmen have done a good job at taking on a leadership role. Though most upperclassmen are a known commodity, Pinkerton mentions that some are experienced without the experience. I.e., they sat behind and learned, taking game reps as they came and are ready to potentially grab a starting spot in their later seasons.
Coach Ubrun
Returning to the Cyclone dugout this season is Assistant Coach Lindsey Ubrun. Ubrun, enters her second stint as an assistant in the Cyclone softball program and will coach the ISU hitters and infielders.
"The transition to Coach U's approach has been good," says Pinkerton. "The players have bought in since the fall, and I think they've incorporated what's been taught, and I like where we're at right now."
Ubrun spent the last six years as the head coach of Wagner College. The last time she was a coach in Ames, Ubrun replaced Coach Pinkerton, who had just left to start up the Montana softball program. She has over a decade of coaching experience to her name, on top of being a former All-American at the University of Missouri.
Schedule
Like most seasons in the Big 12, the 2024 Cyclone schedule is tough. Iowa State is set to match up with eight teams who qualified for regional play last season. The opening tournament in Puerto Vallarta will pit the Cyclones against two top-15 teams (Duke and Washington) and a regional qualifier (Long Beach State).
"What I really like about our schedule is that we have a lot of home games," says Pinkerton. "We're used to playing on the road, but this year's Big 12 road series are going to be tough."
As Coach Pinkerton mentioned, Iowa State has a lot of home games. In fact, ISU's 19 home games are the most scheduled home games since 2016.
Pink's Overall Thoughts
Coach Pinkerton knows what it takes to reach the postseason and thinks this team has the mettle to make it happen. He says his staff has done a great job to get the team in a position to be there at the end of the season.
"We have the talent to be there. We've been close the last couple of years RPI-wise," says Pinkerton. "We've got to take care of the little things and maintain focus. It's a long season, and if we can do that, I think we'll be fine."
Players Mentioned
IF
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UTL
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UTL
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C/INF
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INF
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INF
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OF
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UTL
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RHP
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C
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LHP
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UTL
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RHP
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