University of St. Thomas Athletics
14-32
Iowa State
18-25
Softball drops high scoring affair with Iowa State
4/23/2024 6:59:00 PM | Softball
The Tommies launched two home runs in the loss.
GAME RECAP
St. Thomas wasted no time taking control in Ames. Kaitlyn Raymond and Laken Lienhard's consecutive walks set the stage for an early offensive surge. Following a pitching change, Abbi Stierlen stepped up and delivered a clutch single, driving Raymond home and putting the Tommies up 1-0 against the Cyclones.
Iowa State answered quickly in the bottom of the inning. The Cyclones launched a three-run home run to snatch a 3-1 lead with just one out. Those three runs is all Iowa State could get after the Purple turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the frame.
The Tommies rallied back in the second inning. Brooke Betson sparked the frenzy with a booming double to left-center field. Fellow senior Sydney Mickett then capitalized on the opportunity, driving Betson home with a well-placed singledown the third base line, narrowing the Cyclones' lead to a lone run. The momentum continued as Kaitlyn Raymond earned her second walk of the day, putting two runners on base.
Laken Lienhard reached on an error, advancing Raymond, though Mickett's effort to score was thwarted at home plate. Cassidy Carby delivered a decisive blow, launching a three-run home run deep to center field, catapulting the Purple to a two-run lead.
Similar to the opening frame, the Cyclones wasted no time in responding. A sacrifice fly scored Iowa State's first run of the inning. Taking advantage of two walks, the Cyclones connected with a two-RBI single, reclaiming the lead.
The Tommies made a pitching change, bringing in Morgan Klein for relief in the third inning. However, the Cyclones widened their lead to two runs, capitalizing on an inside-the-park home run resulting from a throwing error.
Heading into the fifth inning trailing by two runs, Abbi Stierlen smashed a solo home run, narrowing the Iowa State lead to one. Monson and Kenzie Miller both singled, putting runners on the corners for St. Thomas. The Tommies' base running proved pivotal as Kenzie Miller stole second base, allowing pinch runner Ruby Moore to advance home on a Cyclone error. Her run tied the game at seven.
The Cyclones added three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning that included a two-run home run. They later added two insurance runs in the sixth and kept the Tommies off the scoreboard to win 12-7.
UP NEXT
The Tommies are back at it Wednesday, April 24 in St. Paul, Minn. as they'll take on the Green Bay Phoenix for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ralston, Jaiden (4-6)
L: Crawford, Christina (6-16)
Batting:
2B: Betson, Brooke 1
HR: Carby, Cassidy 1 ; Stierlen, Abbi 1
RBI: Carby, Cassidy 3 ; Stierlen, Abbi 2 ; Mickett, Sydney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Raymond, Kaitlyn 2 ; Lienhard, Laken 1 ; Carby, Cassidy 1 ; Stierlen, Abbi 1 ; Moore, Ruby 1 ; Betson, Brooke 1
SB: Miller, Kenzie 1
Batting:
2B: Allen, Angelina 1 ; Spelhaug, Carli 1
3B: Spelhaug, Carli 1
HR: Minor, Ashley 1 ; Marin, Camille 1
RBI: Ochoa, Milaysia 1 ; Minor, Ashley 5 ; Spelhaug, Carli 1 ; Johnson, Tatum 2 ; Marin, Camille 2
SH: Ranches, Alesia 1
SF: Ochoa, Milaysia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Allen, Angelina 2 ; Ranches, Alesia 1 ; Minor, Ashley 1 ; Poole, Tiana 2 ; Spelhaug, Carli 3 ; Johnson, Tatum 1 ; Marin, Camille 1 ; Wardlow, Olivia 1
SB: Allen, Angelina 2 ; Spelhaug, Carli 1 ; Wardlow, Olivia 1
CS: Johnson, Tatum 1
