Iowa State vs. BYU Primer

Who: Iowa State (16-15, 6-3 Big 12) vs. BYU (21-9, 5-4 Big 12)

Where: Cyclone Softball Complex – Ames, Iowa

When: April 3 - 4 pm // April 4 - 4 pm // April 5 - 12 pm

Leading Off
After finishing March winning five of its last six, Iowa State will look to carry its momentum into April as it is set to host BYU for its second-straight home Big 12 series. The Cyclones will look to earn their third conference series win of the season this weekend, a mark that's never been done at ISU.

Last time out, Iowa State held off Arizona State in the series finale to earn a 4-3 victory over the Sun Devils to clinch its second Big 12 series win in a row. For the Cyclones, it was their time winning consecutive league series since 2023 as the Cyclones matched their conference win total from each of the last four seasons with six.

Winners of six of their last ten outings, BYU comes to Ames hoping to nab its second Big 12 series win of the season. The Cougars, like the Cyclones, had their home opener last weekend when they hosted the Big 12's highest-ranked team in Arizona, dropping the series 1-2.

Weekend Promotions

Thursday – Dollar Hot Dog Night
Friday – Superhero Night
Saturday – Gold Rules

As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Sports Complex is free.

From the Notes:

The Cyclones spent the first seven weeks of the season away from the Cyclone Softball Complex, playing 28 straight games on the road or at a neutral site.
- March 28 was the latest season-opener since 2022. That squad didn't play at home until April 6.
Iowa State went 1-2 in its first Big 12 series, taking the opening game against Houston. For ISU, it was the program's first Big 12-opening win since 2006.
The Cyclones earned their first road Big 12 sweep since 2019 at UCF in the second week of conference play. The series sweep also happened to be the team's first since 2021.
Iowa State snapped a seven-game skid to Arizona State last weekend, besting the Sun Devils for the first time since 1998, earning a second-straight Big 12 series win.
- For the Cyclones, it was their first back-to-back Big 12 series victory since 2023, when it downed Baylor and Kansas to close the season.
After having 11 seniors leave, ISU only has two on this year's roster. Over half of the team, 14, are underclassmen.
- Of Iowa State's most-used lineup this season, just one position player started over 50 percent of last year's games (Angelina Allen).
- Only four players are over the age of 21.
Freshman pitcher Sami Potvin hurled a five-inning perfect game against Grambling State, striking out a career-high nine batters.

Leading the Cyclones
Iowa State's top half of the order has done the majority of the heavy lifting this season and is led by a pair of freshmen at the top. Jessie Clemons (.369) and Sereniti Trice (.350) lead the team in batting average and hits. Returning All-American Angelina Allen has a team-high 13 walks with two triples to go along with 35 hits and 16 RBI.

Rounding out the four and five spots are another pair of newcomers – transfers Sydney Malott and Reagan Bartholomew. Malott has a team-best five home runs, tying her career single-season high. Bartholomew's 18 RBI are the third-most on the team and she is one of eight Cyclones with double-digit hits. After spending last season primarily as a pitcher, Tatum Johnson has also been a threat at the plate.

In the circle, five Cyclones have seen action. Lauren Schurman leads the way with a team-low ERA of 2.76. Schurman has hurled 78.2 innings, a team-high, and owns 43 punchouts, also a team-high. Jaiden Ralston has five starts in 22 appearances with 30 strikeouts. Freshmen Abby Huhn and Sami Potvin have been solid, as each has multiple wins.

Overall, the Cyclones are hitting .275 and have produced 144 runs on 230 hits. The team has 77 extra-base hits with 130 RBI, while drawing 76 walks. ISU holds a collective 4.28 ERA and has allowed 253 hits in 198.0 innings of work.

Opponent Outlook
BYU's bats are led by standout freshman Ilove'a Brittingham, who leads the team with 42 hits, 11 homers, 43 RBI and a .416 batting average. Supporting Brittingham is Preseason All-Big 12 Team member Lily Owens, who is hitting .392 with 31 hits and 17 RBI, drawing a team-best 19 walks.

The Cougars boast a powerful lineup, as they own the second-most homers in the league with 44 – sitting just behind Arizona. Pairing with the high home run number is an equally high slugging percentage, as the Cougs are also second in the league behind Arizona (.524).

BYU's bullpen consists of three primary pitchers, as Kaysen Korth, Kate Dahle and Jada Villegas lead the charge. Each has an ERA of 3.10 or lower, with Korth toting a 1.64 ERA, a team-low, across a team-high 21 appearances with 89.2 innings pitched. Both Korth (78) and Dahle (50) lead the team in punchouts.

Overall, the Cougars are hitting .307 and have produced 184 runs on 244 hits. The team has 80 extra-base hits with 169 RBI, while drawing 110 walks. BYU holds a collective 2.65 ERA and has allowed 180 hits in 195.2 innings of work.

Series History
Iowa State and BYU have met nine times previously, with the Cougars holding an 8-1 all-time record. The Cyclones will look to snap a six-game skid to BYU this weekend, as all six losses have come in series in Provo within the last four seasons.

On Deck
ISU will play its first midweek contest of the season next time out, as it is set to host Kansas City next Wednesday, April 9. Next week's midweek against the 'Roos is set to begin at 4 pm and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Angelina Allen

Reagan Bartholomew

Jessie Clemons

Abby Huhn

Tatum Johnson

Sydney Malott

Sami Potvin

Jaiden Ralston

Lauren Schurman

Sereniti Trice

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