McFarland's Heroics Lift Cyclones Past Toledo, 4-2

HOUSTON, Texas – The Iowa State softball team improved to 7-2 on the season with 4-2 thriller over Toledo on Saturday at the Houston Invitational. The Cyclones trailed the entire game until sophomore Kelsey McFarland launched a three-run homer in the top of seventh inning to lift ISU to the victory.

Game One: Iowa State 4, Toledo 2
Toledo struck first, as Samantha Showalter hit a two-run homer to left center in the bottom of the first to put the Rockets up 2-0. Toledo threatened again in the second inning, putting runners on the corners, but freshman Emma Hylen entered in relief and got out of the inning on a 4-3 ground ball.

Iowa State's offense showed life in the top of the third, started by a Kaylee Bosworth double. It was the first extra-base hit of the freshman's career in what was also her first start at catcher in the Cardinal and Gold. After Sally Woolpert was hit by pitch, Brittany Gomez ran out a single to load the bases, but the Cyclones were unable to bring around any runs.

The Cyclones also put runners on the corners in the top of the fifth when Bosworth collected her second hit of the day, followed by Cathlin Bingham singling on a bunt. Iowa State once again came away empty-handed, as a fly-out to left ended the inning.

Heading to the seventh inning, Toledo maintained its 2-0 lead. With two outs and nobody on, Brittany Gomez came to the plate and reached first on what was ruled an error. Bingham then singled to first, and the Cyclones were in business with speedsters on first and second. Cappaert put Iowa State on the board with an RBI single down the right field line to score Gomez and move Bingham over to third, cutting the Toledo lead to 2-1.

Sophomore Kelsey McFarland then stepped the to the plate and crushed a first-pitch home run to dead center, scoring three runs to give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 4-2. It was McFarland's first home run of the season and came at the most opportune time for the Cyclones.

Hylen finally surrendered a hit in the bottom of the seventh on a blooper over second base, but the freshman, with the help of her defense, was able to seal the deal as the Cyclones moved to 7-2 on the season.

Cyclones of the Game
Emma Hylen and Kelsey McFarland. Hylen was absolutely phenomenal throughout. She picked up her second win of the season, pitching 5.1 innings of relief work. She gave up no runs on just one hit while striking out two Rocket batters. McFarland's game-winning home run in the seventh came with two out and lifted the Cyclones to victory. It was the fourth homer of her career.

On Deck
Iowa State will face Ball State on Sunday to close out the Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational. The Cyclones and Cardinals will play at 9 a.m. at Cougar Softball Stadium.

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Players Mentioned

Cathlin Bingham

Kaylee Bosworth

Brittany Gomez

Emma Hylen

Kelsey McFarland

Sally Woolpert

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics