Upcoming Event: Softball versus DMACC on September 17, 2025 at 4 p.m.
4 p.m.
Softball
DMACC
Iowa State University Athletics
Sunday, March 13
Fullerton, Calif.
Noon
Iowa State University
15-9
2
vs
3
Sacramento State
12-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Sacramento State
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
3
2
0
Iowa State
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
7
3
ISU's Rally Falls Short Against Sacramento State
03.13.2022 | Softball
FULLERTON, Calif. – Iowa State (15-9, 0-0 Big 12) dropped its final game of the Louisville Slugger Invitational, 3-2, to Sacramento State (12-12, 1-0 Big Sky) Sunday afternoon in Fullerton, Calif.
Milaysia Ochoa and Alesia Ranches singled in back-to-back at-bats and advanced into scoring position with one out on a wild pitch to spark a rally effort for the Cyclones, who trailed 3-1 entering the frame. Natalie Wellet then delivered an RBI single to center field to pull ISU within one.
Skyler Ramos entered to pinch run for Wellet and stole second to put the winning run into scoring position. After a pop up brought ISU down to its final out, Angelina Allen battled to a full count and earned a walk on a wild pitch. Ranches attempted to come home on the play but was caught in a rundown to end the comeback effort.
Runs were at a premium in the contest as all three of the Hornets' runs were unearned, two of which came via wild pitch and a passed ball. Iowa State out-hit Sacramento State, 7-2, but made three costly errors in the game.
Wellet (2-for-3, RBI) logged her second consecutive multi-hit game while Ochoa and Ranches also logged a pair of knocks. Saya Swain earned the start, but Ellie Spelhaug (4-7) was tagged with the loss in the circle despite allowing only one hit in three innings. Swain struck out seven but walked four in her four-inning start.
How it Happened
Sacramento State loaded the base in the first inning and scored the game's first run on a wild pitch. In the bottom half of the frame, Carli Spelhaug hit a lead-off double, but the Cyclones ultimately left her stranded.
Iowa State manufactured the tying run in the third inning when Wellet singled and was pinch ran for by Lea Nelson. Nelson stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before racing home on a wild pitch.
The Hornets regained a one-run advantage in the fifth inning on a passed ball. The bottom half of the frame started promising for the Cyclones after back-to-back singles from Ochoa and Ranches, but ISU couldn't capitalize as the next three batters were retired.
A Cyclone fielding error followed by a Hornet sacrifice bunt and a double in the sixth inning led to a crucial insurance run for Sacramento State. Ochoa and Ranches singled in back-to-back at-bats for the second time of the game to spark a rally for Iowa State in the seventh, but it would fall short as ISU fell, 3-2.
Up Next
Iowa State will stay in California over spring break and compete in the Mizuno Classic, hosted by Pacific, next weekend. In addition to a pair of games against the host, ISU will also play Marist, Sacramento State and Santa Clara in the tournament.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bertuccio, Marissa (8-3)
L: Spelhaug, Ellie (4-7)
Batting:
2B: Evans, Caroline 1
RBI: Evans, Caroline 1
SH: Parish, Samantha 1 ; Pinon, Nevaeh 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Day, Lewa 1 ; Webb, Lexie 1 ; Gresham, Rylee 1
SB: Day, Lewa 1
Batting:
2B: Spelhaug, Carli 1
RBI: Wellet, Natalie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ochoa, Milaysia 1 ; Nelson, Lea 1
SB: Pond, Kaylee 1 ; Nelson, Lea 1 ; Ramos, Skyler 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
c/dp
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballUTL
/ SoftballUTL
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballSB Replay 2025 B12 Semifinal ISU vs Arizona
Monday, May 12
SB Replay 2025 B12 Quarterfinal ISU vs BYU
Monday, May 12
SB Highlights vs. BYU (Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals)
Friday, May 09
SB Replay Baylor at ISU 2025 Gm3
Tuesday, May 06
