ISU Falls in Extras to BYU

PROVO, Utah – A back-and-forth battle broke out at Gail Miller Field in Provo, Utah, on Friday night as Iowa State (16-24, 5-12 Big 12) fell to the BYU Cougars (25-19, 7-13 Big 12) on a Maddie Bejarano walk-off home run in nine innings, 8-7.

The long ball was the theme of Friday's battle, as the two teams combined to blast eight homers on the evening. In fact, all eight of BYU's runs came via long ball as the Cougars recorded six homers – four solo shots and two, two-run shots.

The Cyclones, who are still aiming for their first-ever win in Provo, bounced back offensively after a down series-opener, connecting on 13 hits. Four of ISU's 13 hits went for extra bases as Carli Spelhaug led the way with a three-for-five outing. Milaysia Ochoa, Angelina Allen and Olivia Wardlow all joined Spelhaug with multiple hits on the night. Ochoa had a team-high two RBI.

Karlie Charles (2-6) matched her career high with 8.1 innings pitched on the afternoon, starting the game, being relieved by Jaiden Ralston, and re-entering to finish the game. Charles struck out three and walked just one.

Huntyr Ava was on fire for the Cougars on the evening, as the first baseman went four-of-four at the plate and towered a pair of solo shots in the game. Returning from injury, Violet Zavodnik and Lily Ownes joined Ava with two RBI on the day and also got in on the action blasting long balls themselves. The hero Bejarano and Hailey Morrow also had homers for BYU.

Gianna Mares got the start for the Cougars and went for three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Ailana Agbayani again came in in relief, allowing just two hits in 2.2 innings of work. Kate Dahle also saw action for the Cougars, tossing 3.1 innings.

How it Happened
Iowa State took its first lead of the series early on Friday, as Ochoa blasted her second home run of the weekend and third in her last four games, capping off a ten-pitch at-bat, to lead off the first inning and give the Cyclones an early 1-0 lead.

BYU threatened to even the score in the bottom of the first, placing two on the path but leaving them both stranded.

Both teams went three up, three down in the second inning, before turning to the third. Wardlow led the third off with a single, but a fielder's choice and a pair of Ks snuffed the leadoff runner.

The fourth inning proved fruitful for both teams, as each side was able to add to the scoreboard. The inning began with Ashley Minor cranking her seventh blast of the year to make it 2-0 in favor of the Cyclones. A single from Spelhaug and Marin reaching on a fielder's choice gave ISU a pair of baserunners for pinch-hitter Paige Nakashima. Paige cracked her second hit of the season through the right side to plate Spelhaug and make it a three-run lead for Iowa State. The inning was capped by Ochoa who singled to center with a ball that was too much for BYU to handle, allowing everyone to advance an extra bad and giving ISU a 4-0 lead.

As the frame flipped, BYU's Huntyr Ava smoked a ball over the left field wall to give the Cougars their first run of the game and trim the Cyclone lead to three.

A scoreless fifth gave way to the sixth, where BYU would do some damage. A leadoff double from Ai. Agbayani was homered in by Zavodnik, as the Cyclone lead was trimmed to just one. After an Ava single, Owens sent a ball over the left field fence to give BYU a one-run lead, 5-4, as the game turned to the seventh.

Facing their final three outs, Iowa State pulled through. Allen led the frame off with a stand-up double which was followed by a Minor walk. Spelhaug delivered a single into left to score a run and tie the game but that was it in the top of the frame.

BYU wasted a leadoff single in the bottom of the frame, as a fielder's choice, fly out and caught stealing put the Cougar offense to bed.

In the eighth, Iowa State was able to regain the lead thanks to some heads up baserunning from Wardlow. Wardlow, who'd reached on a single, was able to race in from second after a BY fielder's choice in which no player was ruled out. While the Cougar players were stunned that no out was called, Wardlow raced around third to give the Cyclones a one-run lead.

BYU came right back in the bottom of the frame with another home run, this time again from Ava, as it tied the game at six apiece.

As the teams traded blows, Iowa State again connected on a punch in the ninth, plating another run. Spelhaug notched her first triple of the season to put a runner on with one out. She was able to race home on a passed ball a pitch later and again ISU found itself in the lead.

After absorbing the Cyclone punch, BYU again had the counter in the bottom of the frame. Down one, 6-7, the Cougars launched two solo shots in the bottom of the seventh – one from Morrow and the other from Bejarano – to walk off the Cyclones and secure a series win.

Friday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Milaysia Ochoa (5), Ashley Minor (7)
BYU: Huntyr Ava 2(9), Violet Zavodnik (9), Lily Ownes (6), Hailey Morrow (7), Maddie Bejarano (4)

WP – Ailana Agbayani (5-1): 2.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Karlie Charles (2-6): 8.1 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

On Deck
Iowa State will return to Gail Miller Field tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, to take on the Cougars in the series finale. Tomorrow's game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Next Event

Team Stats

Carli Spelhaug

Milaysia Ochoa

Angelina Allen

Olivia Wardlow

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Karlie Charles

Ashley Minor

Paige Nakashima

Milaysia Ochoa

Jaiden Ralston

Carli Spelhaug

Olivia Wardlow

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Karlie Charles

Ashley Minor

Paige Nakashima

Milaysia Ochoa

Jaiden Ralston

Carli Spelhaug

Olivia Wardlow

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics