Cyclones Split at UTSA Classic

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Iowa State (5-2, 0-0 Big 12) defeated Rutgers (0-2, 0-0 Big East), 3-2, on Friday morning at the UTSA Classic before returning to the field on Friday night to fall at UTSA (3-2, 0-0 WAC), 4-7.

Iowa State struck first against the Scarlet Knights, plating three runs in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at first and second, Jorden Spendlove grounded to pitcher Abbey Houston, who threw to third for the force-out. Houston's throw was high, sailing into foul territory and allowing pinch runner Amber Ewert to score. Two batters later, Lexi Slater sent a two-out single through the right side to score Tori Torrescano and Spendlove for the 3-0 lead.

A double from Chandler Howard down the left field line scored the first Rutgers run in the top of the sixth, the put the score at 3-1 with two outs and a runner at second, but a diving catch by Erica Miller in foul territory ended the Rutgers threat.

Rutgers scored another run on a single to third in the top of the seventh for the final run of the game.

Torrescano (3-0) picked up her third win of the season, allowing two earned runs on six hits by the Scarlet Knights. The senior walked none and fanned four.

Howard (0-1) took the loss for Rutgers, giving up six hits, three runs, all unearned, while walking one and striking out two.

With the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first against the Roadrunner, Spendlove grounded out to second, driving in Brittany Gomez from third for the early 1-0 lead.

UTSA came back in the bottom of the frame with an RBI-single from Courtney Buchman to tie the score. After walking Jolene Graham to load the bases, Iowa State starter Riley Fisher was spelled by Taylor Smith. Three more RBI singles and a bases-loaded walk would leave UTSA up, 7-1, as the game moved to the second inning.

Miller came up big for the Cyclones with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the second, rocketing a ground ball to short, too hard for Paige Hamilton to get a grip on the ball, and two runs came home as the ball careened into center field.

Pitchers on both sides settled in after that, not allowing any runs until an RBI-single from Miller in the sixth for the final Cyclone run of the game.

Graham tried to take the run back for UTSA in the bottom of the frame, hitting a Torrescano pitch over the right center field but Graham did not touch first as she rounded the bases, leading to the third out of the inning.

Fisher (1-2) took the loss after throwing one-third of an inning, charged with four runs, one hit and three walks.

Alyssa Vordenbaum (1-1) lasted five innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on seven hits, one walk and struck out one batter.

On Saturday, the Cyclones finish their weekend on the road against Missouri State at 9 a.m. CST and Boise State at 11:30 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

Amber Ewert

Amber Ewert

Riley Fisher

Brittany Gomez

Erica Miller

Erica Miller

Lexi Slater

Lexi Slater

Taylor Smith

Taylor Smith

Jorden Spendlove

Jorden Spendlove

Tori Torrescano

Tori Torrescano

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