Omaha Rallies Past Iowa State, 6-4

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State softball team (15-24, 0-6 Big 12) fell victim to a seventh-inning rally by Omaha (21-21) on Thursday at the Cyclone Sports Complex, as the Mavericks scored three runs in the final frame to defeat ISU, 6-4.

Omaha 6, Iowa State 4
The Cyclones were able to set the tone early, in a first inning that went as well as could be scripted. Starting pitcher Savannah Sanders and the ISU defense got a quick 1-2-3 frame to open the game, and then the offense came out firing. Senior Brittany Gomez singled to lead off, but was later caught stealing. However, Cathlin Bingham and Aly Cappaert both drew walks to put runners on first and second.

Sophomore Kelsey McFarland stepped to the plate and laced a single through the right side, as Cappaert advanced to second and Bingham raced around third and came into score. Nychole Antillon then singled to the Omaha shortstop as Cappaert came home and McFarland took third. She would later score on a passed ball, giving the Cyclones a 3-0 advantage. Sammie Hildreth smacked an RBI double to left, scoring Antillon to finish out a tremendous first inning with Iowa State leading 4-0.

Following a scoreless second inning, the Mavericks answered back in the top of the third. After a single and a walk early in the frame, Omaha third baseman Sydney Hames hit a three-run home run to cut the Cyclone advantage to just 4-3. Sanders got out of the inning with no further damage, and would be replaced by Emma Hylen to open the fourth inning.

Bats on both sides went quiet through the next three innings, as the ISU lead remained intact at 4-3 entering the seventh frame. Omaha opened the top of the seventh with a pair of doubles, including an RBI off the bat of Nicole Warren to tie the game at 4-4. Mandi Moore entered in relief for the Cyclones with runners on the corners and no outs, but the Mavericks notched two more runs to take their first lead of the day. The ISU offense was unable to respond in their final chance, as Omaha went on to win, 6-4.

On Deck
Iowa State will be on its Big 12 bye this weekend before returning to the Cyclone Sports Complex for a Tuesday doubleheader vs South Dakota on April 19. The first game will start at 2 p.m., with the second matchup slated for 4 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Nychole Antillon

Cathlin Bingham

Aly Cappaert

Brittany Gomez

Sammie Hildreth

Emma Hylen

Kelsey McFarland

Mandi Moore

Savannah Sanders

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Iowa State University Athletics