Who: Iowa State (11-16, 2-4 Big 12) vs. Texas Tech (21-8, 2-4 Big 12)
where: Cyclone Sports Complex – Ames, Iowa
when: March 22nd and 23rd – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.
lead off
After a midweek matchup in Kansas City, Iowa State will return to the grounds of the Cyclone Sports Complex to host the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a weekend Big 12 series.
The series was originally scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday, but was moved to Thursday instead due to low temperatures expected on Sunday. ISU and TTU will now play twice as part of a doubleheader on Friday, and a third time in the first on Saturday. All three weekends of ISU's Big 12 events were affected by weather.
The Cyclones returned to Ames on Wednesday after losing their second straight midweek contest with a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Roos. ashley miner It was an important game for the Clones, who had three hits, three RBIs, and hit their fourth home run of the year, but it wasn't enough.
The Red Raiders enter the weekend on a three-game losing streak, as TTU hosts three-time national champion and top-ranked Oklahoma State University in Lubbock, which Texas Tech defeated last weekend.
Texas Tech and ISU will share two common opponents this season: Northern Colorado and the Sooners. ISU defeated UNC twice in doubleheaders, outscoring the Bears 22-7 on the road, and the Red Raiders won 10-9 in San Marcos, Texas. Both teams defeated the University of Oklahoma.
Quick hit:
- Iowa State has scored double-digit points in a game four times this season. In 2023, there were only two such games.
- The Cyclones have been a bit of a frenzy early on in the season, as the team is averaging 8.5 points per game in wins, but only 2.4 points in losses.
- junior outfielder angelina allen It was an incredible start to the season. She ranks fifth in the nation in hits (44) and tops the Big 12. Her 10 doubles also lead the conference and rank 26th nationally.
- Allen totaled 81 home bases for the season, sixth in the nation and most in the Big 12. Allen has the third-highest batting average in the conference (.473) and ranks 11th nationally.
- Allen won the Big 12 Player of the Week award on March 5, becoming the first Cyclone player to win the award since Sami Williams in 2021.
- Milesia Ochoa He hit the 29th pitch during the Big 12's opening weekend at Oklahoma, setting a new program record for most HBP.
- Ochoa also has a top-25 OBP and has drawn 18 walks, the sixth-most in the conference.
- alesia ranch The number of doubles is tied for the fourth-most in the league with eight.
- Senior Saya Swain He recorded his seventh career save in Las Vegas earlier this season. He needs two more to break the program's all-time record.
lead the cyclone
The aforementioned Allen leads the Cyclones in almost every offensive category except for runs, triples and walks. Fellow team captain Ochoa had the highest praise for Allen. Milesia is batting .345 from leadoff with 18 walks and 4 HBP for an OBP of .477. Allen and Ochoa both lead the team in on-base percentage from the first two spots in the batting order.
minor, alesia ranch, tiana pool and carly spelhaug He joins Ochoa and Allen as Cyclones with double-digit RBIs on the year. olivia wardlow Playing in her third year, she hit .296 for nine holes and turned the Cyclones' lineup around.
This season, all six pitchers on the staff are on the roster, including a first-year pitcher. Lauren Schulman He pitched a team-high 41.2 innings, leading the way.Senior carly charles He pitched 34.2 innings, but Aziza Rodriguez He threw 31. jayden ralston Schulman leads the team in strikeouts with 26, Schulman also leads the team in strikeouts with 25, and the senior follows suit. Saya Swain There are 24.
Opponent outlook
Texas Tech is led by sophomore phenom Kylie Wyckoff. Wyckoff, currently the Big 12's Newcomer of the Year, has a team-high 34 hits and is batting at a team-best .405 clip. Riley Love led the Red Raiders with 36 RBIs and hit nine doubles, two triples and 10 home runs, all team highs.
The Red Raiders boast a prolific hitter, with the team currently ranking second in the conference behind OU with 53 total doubles.
Maddie Kuehl leads the Red Raider team with 62 innings pitched, but Maddie Wright (51 innings) and Olivia Raines (44 innings) are not far behind. Kuehl leads the team in punchouts with 56, while Raines has a perfect 6-0 record on the season.
As a team, TTU has a fielding percentage of .973 and commits less than one error per game.
Series history
The Cyclones and Red Raiders have faced each other 68 times, with TTU holding the most advantage in the series. The two teams met in a weekend series last year, with Texas Tech winning 2-1. Under Coach Pinkerton, Iowa State averaged 4.3 points per game against the Red Raiders.
on deck
The Cyclones will be back in action this Thursday when the team is scheduled to take on the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas. This upcoming series will air Thursday through Saturday instead of Friday through Sunday to account for the Easter holiday.Thursday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
