Completed Event: Softball versus DMACC on September 17, 2025 ,
Final
Softball
DMACC
Iowa State University Athletics
Saturday, March 8
Houston, Texas
2 p.m.
Iowa State
2
at
6
Houston
Photo by: Erik Williams Houston Athletics
Cyclones Fall in Game Two as Cougars Even Series
03.08.2025 | Softball
HOUSTON, Texas – After earning a series-opening win on Friday night, Iowa State (10-10, 1-1 Big 12) fell to Houston (15-7, 1-1 Big 12) on Saturday afternoon by a score of 6-2.
A day after collecting 10 runs on 12 hits, the ISU offense was held to just a pair of runs on five hits as the Cyclones left 10 runners on base. Too many free passes and an untimely error helped push Houston to its first Big 12 win of the season.
For the Cyclones, five batters notched hits, with both Sydney Malott and Tiana Poole collecting RBI while Sereniti Trice and McKenna Andrews each drew a pair of walks.
In the circle, Jaiden Ralston (2-4) got her first start of the series, going three innings and striking out a pair. Abby Huhn would relieve Ralston and pitch the final three frames, allowing one run on three hits.
A pair of Cougars, Jordee Wilkins and Mandy Esman, collected two hits apiece to lead all players. Wilkins had four RBI on the day with a pair of two-RBI doubles, while Esman collected the team's only other RBI.
Rylee Michalak pitched the majority of the contest for the Coogs, as she allowed just two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings of work. Paris Lehman would earn her first save of the season, hurling the final 1.1 innings and allowing just one knock.
How it Happened
After a scoreless first inning, Houston got the scoring started in the second, placing three on the board. ISU had two outs and looked to have a third, but an error would extend the inning as the Coogs went on to plate three unearned runs.
The Cyclones got one back in the third, cutting the Houston lead to two. A leadoff walk and a pair of singles would load the bases for the Cyclones with just one out. Malott would hit into a fielder's choice to plate one as Houston secured a second out on the play. UH forced an ISU strikeout to escape the jam, allowing just the one run.
The Coogs added two more in the fourth thanks to Jordee Wilkins and her second two-RBI double of the game. Wilkins would record four of the team's five RBI on the day.
Houston plated a sixth and final run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI single from Mandy Esman.Â
Iowa State scored its second run of the game in the sixth, thanks to a solo shot from Tiana Poole. For Poole, the homer was her first hit of the season.
Saturday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Tiana Poole (1)
Houston: N/A
WP – Rylee Michalak (3-1): 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV – Paris Lehman (1): 1.1 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts
LP – Jaiden Ralston (2-4): 3.0 IP, 4 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, 2 strikeouts
On Deck
Iowa State will wrap up the weekend series tomorrow, March 9, when it returns to the Cougar Softball Stadium for one final game against Houston. Sunday's game is set to begin at noon and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF
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