Allen’s Season Among the All-Time Best

The Iowa State softball program is in its 51st year of existence. Over the years, plenty of outstanding student-athletes have had incredible seasons wearing cardinal and gold. One of those incredible seasons is taking place this very season, as Angelina Allen is heading toward an all-time output.

Allen, a junior hailing from Moreno Valley, California, has been on a tear in 2024. In her first year as a Cyclone in 2022, Allen started all 55 games at first base with a .325 batting average, including 55 hits and 31 RBI. After an admitted sophomore slump last year, Allen has bounced back and then some.

Angelina, more commonly referred to as Mo around the team, is having arguably a top-five all-time year at the plate for the Cyclones, though her defense and base-stealing stats are perfect, too.

Where She Stacks Up
Currently, with five games remaining on the schedule, Allen owns the second-best single-season batting average, second-best on-base percentage and fourth-highest slugging percentage. The player ahead of her on all three lists? Her self-proclaimed mentor and Cyclone legend: Sami Williams.

You may be wondering, was there any overlap between Allen and Williams? The answer is yes, but not at Iowa State. Both Allen and Williams were part of the Corona Angels, a travel softball team based out of California, coached by Marty Tyson. "Growing up in the same organization … I always looked up to her," says Allen. "Seeing my name next to hers in any capacity … it's just a privilege to compete with her."

Not only is her slash line ridiculous, but Mo also has the eighth-most hits in a season to this point – and the team has had four games canceled due to weather. Allen also finds herself among the top-ten single-season lists for homers, doubles and total bases.

𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗼‼️

Congratulations to @angelinaa_allen on being named the 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 👏

🔗 https://t.co/GJE5VvJhYE

🌪️🥎🌪️ pic.twitter.com/M6CTWjCay9
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) March 5, 2024

Allen became the first Cyclone since Sami Williams in 2021 to earn Big 12 Player of the Week earlier this season.

Bouncing Back
Following her coming out party as a freshman, Allen's numbers dropped in her second season with her saying, "I had to grow up." She admits that during her freshman year, she had bad batting habits, but since most hadn't pitched against her, she could get away with some things. "Sophomore year though, they knew … they had the stats on me and the film." Allen further admits that she "swung at almost every single pitch" last year.

So, what changed and has led to this dominant season? Well, her first step was making sure to find the pitches that she could handle. Mo also attributes her training at Elite Baseball over the summer helped improve her mentality when it comes to being a hitter.

There, Allen says she adopted a new plate mentality. "Even when I'm not feeling my best … what can I do to get a hit? Or what can I do with my body to produce something? Because not every weekend I feel good … not every weekend is my weekend. What can I individually do to get a hit and help the team?"

Not only did her time with Elite Baseball help her, but her coaches and all the people who have had a hand in her swing did, too. She credits the coaches, who "put so much time into every individual player," for their tireless help. She also notes that admitting to herself that she was stubborn with not wanting to change played a role. "Fully committing to the staff and trusting them that they know what they're doing. It's a combination of all that and then making sure you put yourself in the position to work on their teachings."

Her new mentality and battling through the mental side of struggles has helped Mo become confident again in her swing and has allowed her to regain her game-changing bat.

Other Changes
Not only did Allen's plate mentality change but she was also moved to an entirely new position in the field and to a permanent spot in the batting order. After starting all 55 games as a freshman at first, Allen began her sophomore season in the same capacity. However, with her struggles at the plate, Coach Pinkerton and the staff decided to try something new – putting Mo in left field.

"Playing the outfield was a new opportunity for me to put my energy into something else," says Allen.

Being put in the outfield also meant that she got to play right next to her best friend, teammate Milaysia Ochoa. Ochoa, along with Allen, are the team's captains, a role that Mo was given last year, too, as a sophomore.

"Last year fitting into that role … there was a lot of pressure," says Allen. "Not from the team, but pressure I put on myself. The coaches and teammates trusted me and Milaysia so much, I didn't want to let them down."

But another year under her belt has helped her grow into her leadership position amongst the team. "It's a hard thing to do, but I'm grateful to lead a group of girls and have them believe in me so much." She continues by adding that even when she's not playing well, so many girls still looked to her to lead and that showed how loving and trusting the team was.

Along with a position change and being named captain, Allen was cemented in the two-spot in the order behind Ochoa. The two left-handed batters have led off all 46 games this season and not only lead as captains but also by example, as their play has been stellar from the top of the order. The batting proximity allows the two to have conversations about the opposing pitchers mid-at-bat.

"We're giving signs and communicating. She's always talking to me, telling me how she's feeling," says Allen. "It has helped both of us understand what we're seeing at the plate."

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Allen has been consistently ranked as a top-ten outfielder by Softball America throughout the season.

Her Season
When attempting to show Allen her stats on the year, she refuses. Stating, "I never like to look at my numbers ever. I'm a superstitious person." However, she does admit she knows she's had a good year.

"It's a privilege. I've been playing softball for 17 years and this was my goal the whole time," says Allen. "Me and my dad, before I went to college, talked about how I want to be an All-American. This has been my goal the whole time. This is not the only reason why I work, but this is a great part about doing the work … the reward you get out of it. I always have had it in me to do perform like this, this year was just the right time to do it."

Mo says that she's been trained to perform like this and be professional in the way she goes about her business since she was a child, giving thanks to both Marty Tyson of the Corona Angels and her father – both of whom have instilled a workmanlike mentality in her.

"How I handle my business, talking in interviews with other people, for jobs, and on the field. Professionalism is just a big thing in being a good human as well." Her levelheadedness not only helps her on the field but also speaks as to why she is now a two-time team captain.

When asked to comment about her season, she responds, "I'm humbled to be in this position. I'm a big believer in God and I believe God makes things happen for a reason. Last year happened for me to grow. It needed for me to grow into the position I'm in now. I'm just thankful to have been surrounded by the best people to succeed. I don't know if I could succeed like this anywhere else. The people around me have definitely shaped me into who I am today."

Though she won't read into her stats and look at her historical standings now, Allen admits she'll look back and realize what a great experience this year has been. She's grateful for every season, especially because she realizes her career is winding down.

"We as athletes tend to get wrapped up in the, 'I need to do good. Future, future, future.'" She continues, "You never look back and see what you're doing right now in the moment."

Allen and the Cyclones will wrap up regular season play this week, facing Drake in Des Moines on Wednesday night before welcoming UCF to the Cyclone Sports Complex for the regular season finale this weekend as part of a three-game series.

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Milaysia Ochoa

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics