Cyclones Open Big 12 Play at Texas

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State opens Big 12 play this weekend at Texas looking to rebound after a sweep at the hands of BYU. The three-game series begins Friday at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin, Texas. First pitch in the series-opener is set for 6 p.m.

The Matchup: Iowa State (19-13, 0-0 Big 12) at Texas (26-10-1, 3-0 Big 12)
Where: Red & Charline McCombs Field - Austin, Texas.
When: Friday, April 1 (6 p.m.) / Saturday, April 2 (1 p.m.) / Sunday, April 3 (Noon)
Watch: Longhorn Network
Live Stats: Cyclones.com

Key Storylines

Iowa State was tabbed fifth in the Big 12 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll after a fifth-place finish in the league last season.
Nine of ISU's games have been decided by two runs or less or less this season. The Cyclones are 2-7 in such games. Iowa State has won and lost via walk off once and has left the tying or winning run stranded in scoring position in the final inning in three of those losses.
The Cyclones have struggled with their situational hitting in their 13 losses this season. ISU is hitting .196 with runners in scoring position and have stranded 93 runners on base in those games.
The Cyclones are averaging 6.31 runs per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation.
Lead-off batter Carli Spelhaug is averaging 1.28 runs per game (2nd nationally).
ISU has hit 53 doubles this season, the 10th-most nationally. Spelhaug leads the way with eight two-baggers on the year.
Mikayla Ramos' 12 home runs rank 10th nationally are tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history. She is already just one shy of tying her home run total from last season. Ramos has logged 42 RBIs in 32 games this season, the fourth-most in the country. Last season, Ramos batted in 57 runs to break Iowa State's single-season RBI record. By comparison, Ramos had 34 RBIs through 32 games in 2021.
Freshman Angelina Allen has been a valuable addition for the Cyclones this season. Her 34 hits are eighth in the Big 12 and second among league freshmen.
Karlie Charles owns a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.5:1 (51 K, 6 BB). It is the best mark in the Big 12 and the 15th-best in the country.
Saya Swain is one of five pitchers in the nation to log two games with 16+ strikeouts this season.
Ellie Spelhaug has matched her career high in strikeouts (6) four times this season, including games against No. 6 UCLA and No. 5 Washington.

Series History

Texas leads, 60-4
Last Meeting: 2021 (L, 10-0, 6 innings)
Last Cyclone Win: 4/23/2017 (4-2)

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Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Karlie Charles

Mikayla Ramos

Carli Spelhaug

Ellie Spelhaug

Saya Swain

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics