Kansas falls to Cyclones, 3-2
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AMES, Iowa – Kansas softball’s late-inning rally fell short as Iowa State clinched the series win with a 3-2 victory over the Jayhawks on Saturday afternoon at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
KU (24-27, 3-13 Big 12) scored first, but the Cyclones (22-32, 5-12 Big 12) answered with three runs an inning later to take the lead, which ISU wouldn’t relinquish. Kansas’ offense outhit ISU, 9-6, and left eight runners on base. Junior catcher Jessie Roane finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, while senior infielder Taylor McElhaney went 2-for-2.
Kansas’ offense got to work early in the second game of the series. Senior outfielder Lily Behrmann led off the game with walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch moved Behrmann even closer to home plate before Roane hit a two-out double, bringing Behrmann home and giving Kansas a 1-0 lead.
In her second start of the weekend, sophomore Alexis Reid opened the game with a 1-2-3 scoreless frame and threw a total of five shutout innings. In the next inning, the Cyclones led off the frame with a walk for their first base runner of the day as outfielder Kelsey McFarland reached base. She advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt before a double brought McFarland home, tying the game 1-1.
Iowa State took the lead with the next batter after shortstop Logan Schaben hit a two-run home run over the fence in centerfield. Schaben’s first career homer gave the Cyclones a 3-1 advantage after two innings.
Kansas added a run in the third, cutting its deficit to a run, after an error brought home KU’s second run of the day. After the run crossed home plate, the Jayhawks loaded the bases, but ISU got out of the bases loaded jam with its 3-2 lead intact.
After two scoreless frames, Kansas threatened to tie the game in the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Mikayla Warren led off with a single, KU’s eighth hit of the day, and advanced to second base, but ISU stranded her in scoring position and halted the rally.
McElhaney led KU’s late rally in the seventh inning with a one-out double to the gap in right centerfield. With the game-tying run in scoring position, Iowa State ended the threat and recorded the final two outs for the 3-2 victory over the Jayhawks.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks conclude their series at Iowa State on Sunday, May 7 at Cyclone Sports Complex. The game will air on the Jayhawk Radio Network.
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