Cyclones Stave Off UCSB, 3-2

LAS VEGAS – Iowa State (3-2) opened the UNLV Desert Classic with a win Friday afternoon, holding UC Santa Barbara (1-6) at bay for a 3-2 win.

Like their tournament finale in Mexico, the Cyclones needed to come from behind against the Gauchos, overcoming a 1-0 deficit in the fifth inning behind a two-RBI single from Angelina Allen.

Freshman pitcher Aziza Rodriguez picked up her first career win on the day, going for two and two-third innings and allowing zero runs. Saya Swain picked up her first save of the season – the seventh of her career.

Allen was the lone Cyclone to notch multiple hits on the afternoon as well as multiple RBI. McKenna Andrews also had an RBI on the day, tacking on an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

The Gauchos out-hit the Cyclones 8-6 on the afternoon but left nine stranded. UCSB hit into a pair of double plays, which stifled momentum.

Ainsley Waddell had a game-high three hits for UC Santa Barbara. Jazzy Santos was the lone other Gaucho to pocket multiple hits.

How it Happened
The Cyclones were held hitless in the first two innings, drawing a lone walk through the first two frames.

The Gauchos got on the board in the bottom of the second, loading the bases on three straight walks, after the leadoff batter grounded out, to force an ISU pitching change. Rodriguez would enter for Johnson and be tasked with getting out of the jam. A UCSB single would bring the first run across and keep the bases loaded.

UCSB then belted a ball deep to centerfield in what looked to be gone. Ochoa got a great jump on the ball, however, catching up to the path and securing the out before turning around and firing it into second base to tag up a runner and get Iowa State through the inning down just one.

The Cyclones threatened in the third, stringing together a pair of singles before leaving them stranded. A Spelhaug double would also be stranded in the fourth as ISU had just three hits through four.

After holding UCSB scoreless for two frames, ISU finally broke through in the fifth. Back-to-back walks followed by a fielder's choice resulted in runners on the corners with one out. Allen strode to the plate and smacked a single into right field, plating a pair to give Iowa State a 2-1 lead.

A scoreless sixth from both sides gave way to the seventh. In the top of the seventh, an Allen double and advancement on a groundout gave the Cyclones a runner on third with two outs. Pinch-hitting in the four-hole, Andrews belted a single through the left side to add some insurance, bringing Andrews across and putting ISU up 3-1.

The Gauchos threatened in the seventh, bringing one across but Swain shut the threat down, stranding runners at both second and third.

Friday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
UC Santa Barbara: N/A

WP – Aziza Rodriguez (1-0): 2.2 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts
SV – Saya Swain (1): 3.0 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
LP – Ainsley Waddell (0-3): 2.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts

On Deck
Iowa State will return to action later today when it faces off with tournament-host UNLV. Tonight's game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. and will be streamed live on YouTube.

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Team Stats

Angelina Allen

Milaysia Ochoa

McKenna Andrews

Carli Spelhaug

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

McKenna Andrews

Aziza Rodriguez

Saya Swain

Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

McKenna Andrews

Aziza Rodriguez

Saya Swain

Sponsors

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