Cyclones Explode For 15 Runs In Win Over Drake

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State softball team (19-26, 1-8 Big 12) had a season-high offensive output in their 15-12 victory over Drake (24-22, 12-7 Missouri Valley) at the Cyclone Sports Complex on Tuesday. The Cyclones collected a season-high 17 hits, led by Cathlin Bingham, Kelsey McFarland, Kirsten Caudle and Sally Woolpert, with three each.

McFarland, Caudle and Aly Cappaert each racked up three RBIs en route to victory. Sophomore pitcher Kristine Kimberley also picked up the first win of her Cyclone career in the outing, putting in 5.1 innings of work in relief.

Iowa State 15, Drake 12
The Cyclone offense came out on a mission right from the outset of Tuesday's contest. After Drake opened the game with a three-run first inning, Iowa State came to the plate with bats blazing. Bingham got things started with the first ISU hit of the game, and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Following a walk for Cappaert, McFarland reached safely on an error. The speedy Bingham rounded third and came into score on the Bulldog miscue.

With the bases loaded following a Nychole Antillon base hit, the Cyclones scored on four-consecutive at bats. Caudle drew a bases loaded walk, followed by McFarland beating a throw at home, as Sammie Hildreth reached safely. Hope Scheffert gave Iowa State the lead at 4-3 with an RBI single to left. Sally Woolpert then put the exclamation point on the inning with a two-RBI single down the left field line, as Hildreth and Caudle scored to put the Cyclones ahead 6-3.

Drake took back the lead with four runs in the second inning, but the Cyclones found the equalizer in the home half of the frame with an RBI single from Caudle. The freshman smacked one down the right field line to score Cappaert and knot the game at 7-7.

The Bulldogs once again regained the lead in the ensuing inning, and ISU once again came up with an answer. With runners on second and third, McFarland hit a two-RBI double to left, scoring Gomez and Bingham. Caudle then collected her career-best third RBI of the day on a single to bring McFarland home and give the Cyclones a 10-8 lead that they would not relinquish.

The teams scored one each in the fourth inning, including an RBI single from Bingham to bring Gomez to the plate. Gomez had previously stolen second and moved over to third on a Drake error.

The Cyclones looked to slam the door shut with a four-run sixth inning. Cappaert provided the punctuation mark with a bases-loaded double to score Katie Dukes, Gomez and Bingham. McFarland followed that with a double of her own that brought pinch runner Jackie Chairez into score and give the Cardinal & Gold a 15-9 advantage.

A seventh inning rally by Drake fell short, as relief pitcher Mandi Moore entered for the save. Kimberley, who came in as a reliever herself, picked up the win for the Cyclones, the first of her ISU career. She went 5.1 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits.

On Deck
The Cyclones are set for a three-game series with No. 9 Oklahoma this weekend. The Cyclones and Sooners are scheduled to open the series with a doubleheader on Friday, with games at 2 and 4 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Nychole Antillon

Cathlin Bingham

Aly Cappaert

Kirsten Caudle

Jaclyn Chairez

Katie Dukes

Sammie Hildreth

Kristine Kimberley

Kelsey McFarland

Mandi Moore

Hope Scheffert

Sally Woolpert

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