Cyclones Split With Victory Over FGCU

The Iowa State softball team (13-12) split a pair of games in Fort Myers, Fla. on Friday. The Cyclones started the day falling in a 1-0 pitcher's dual to Purdue, followed by an 8-3 victory over the hosting Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.

Game One: Purdue 1, Iowa State 0
The Cyclones struggled offensively for most of the game with Purdue ace Lilly Fecho, who improved to 13-4 on the season with the victory. Despite out-hitting the Boilermakers 5-4, Iowa State was not able to string hits together, as ISU was only able to put multiple runners on base in one inning.

That opportunity came early on, as Sammie Hildreth led off in the top of the second inning with a single to right field. Nychole Antillon came to the plate and smacked another base hit to center, putting runners on first and second with no outs. However, Purdue was able to get out of the jam with no damage done. It would prove to be the last time a Cyclone runner was in scoring position.

The Cyclones got an equally excellent outing from freshman pitcher Savannah Sanders. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn., native held Purdue to just four hits and one walked batter. However, the Boilermakers put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth to break the 0-0 tie. Lexi Huffman doubled to center field to bring in teammate Emily Kenny for what would prove to be the winning run.

Game Two: Iowa State 8, Florida Gulf Coast 3
The Cyclones were quick to atone for their offensive struggles in the second game of the day against Florida Gulf Coast. After Kirsten Caudle made her way to second on a fielder's choice, followed by an Eagle error, Aly Cappaert stepped to the plate. The senior helped put the first ISU run of the day on the board with an RBI single to center, scoring Caudle from second.

The Cyclones then loaded the bases on consecutive FGCU errors before Antillon brought Cappaert in to score on yet another Eagle throwing error. Kaylee Bosworth stepped to the plate and notched an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly by Woolpert to put Iowa State up 4-0 after one.

In the top of the second, errors continued to plague the Eagles, allowing ISU to extend its lead to 5-0, as Kelsey McFarland reached on an FGCU miscue, scoring Brittany Gomez from third base. The Eagles amassed seven errors in the first two innings of the game.

After Florida Gulf Coast got on the board with one run in the bottom of the third, Iowa State got back on its offense in the fifth. Kaila Konz got things started with a lead-off single, followed by a Gomez sac bunt, and Caudle reaching on a fielding error.

With runners on the corners, Cappaert smacked an RBI single up the middle to score Konz from third. McFarland brought another Cyclone run to the plate with an RBI single down the right field line. Antillon brought Iowa State's final run home on a sacrifice fly to score Jackie Chairez, who was pinch running for Cappaert.

The Eagles attempted to rally, with one run in both the fifth and seventh innings. However, freshman pitcher Emma Hylen put together an excellent outing, and reliever Mandi Moore slammed the door shut for an 8-3 Cyclone victory. Hylen improved to 6-3 on the season, pitching four innings while giving up just one run on three hits.

On Deck
Iowa State will finish up action in Fort Myers, Fla. with another game against the hosting Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.

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Players Mentioned

Nychole Antillon

Kaylee Bosworth

Aly Cappaert

Kirsten Caudle

Jaclyn Chairez

Brittany Gomez

Sammie Hildreth

Emma Hylen

Kaila Konz

Kelsey McFarland

Mandi Moore

Savannah Sanders

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