BYU takes two convincing wins over Iowa State in doubleheader

PROVO, Utah — BYU took down the Iowa State Cyclones 11-3 and 5-0 in a double header at Miller Park on Friday evening, improving to 21-7 on the season.

GAME ONE

Player Highlights

• Taylei Williams: 3 R, 3 H
• Huntyr Ava: 2 R, 1 H, 2 RBI

Game Highlights

• The Cougars trailed just behind the Cyclones for the first four innings before scoring nine runs with two outs in the fifth
• Eight different Cougars scored in the game

Iowa State’s Carli Spelhaug started off the game with a double to right center, and singles from Angelina Allen and Milaysia Ochoa sent Spelhaug home to give the Cyclones their first run of the game. BYU was hitless through the first inning with a ground out, flyout and strikeout.

BYU tied the score in the second inning with a home run from Huntyr Ava. Despite having the bases loaded, the Cyclones were unable to score a run, and the second inning finished with the score at 1-1.

In the top of the third, Iowa State’s first two batters struck out quickly, but a homer to center field from Kaylee Pond gave the Cyclones another run to regain their lead. BYU was quick to catch up in the bottom of the third, with Taylei Williams singling to center field before advancing to second on an Iowa State error. Alyssa Pondhurcak scored Williams with an RBI single to center field.

Iowa State’s Skyler Ramos reached first base after being hit by a pitch, and BYU put Carley Brown in the circle to continue play in the top of the fourth. A Cyclone single brought Ramos home for a run, and Iowa State held a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning. Ava reached first for BYU on an error to start the bottom of the fourth and pinch runner Lauren Flanders took second just after, but was left stranded.

The Cyclones were scoreless in the top of the fifth, while BYU had nine runs on seven hits with just two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Williams singled through the left side and Violet Zavodnik reached on a fielders choice. Macy Simmons then walked, and Iowa State put Karlie Charles in to pitch. Ava was hit by the pitch to score Williams, and Marissa Chavez singled to center field to score Zavodnik and pinch runner Lennon for two RBI. Brooke Hill-Barrington used her at-bat to earn an RBI, sending Ava across the plate. Peterson doubled to left field for another two RBI as Hill-Barrington and Chavez made it home. Peterson then advanced to third on a wild pitch before Martha Epensesa homered to left center for yet another two RBI. The Cyclones subbed Shannon Mortimer in to pitch, and Williams doubled to left field before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Zavodnik singled for an RBI, and BYU forced an end to the game, enacting the NCAA 8-run rule.

GAME TWO

Player Highlights

• Zavodnik: 1 H, 1 R, 3 RBI
• Martha Epenesa: 2 R, 1 H
• Taylei Williams: 1 R, 2 H
• Chloe Temples: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1.62 ERA

Game Highlights

• BYU recorded five runs on seven hits in the game, with Iowa State recording no runs on four hits
• Violet Zavodnik reached her 100th career hit

Iowa State started the game with no runs on one hit in the top of the first. Marissa Epenesa singled up the middle to start the bottom of the first, and Taylei Williams doubled to left field. Violet Zavodnik hit a three-run home run for her 100th career hit, to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead to finish the first inning.

Both teams were scoreless in the second and third innings, with Iowa State recording just one hit during the top of the third and BYU unable to make a hit.

The Cyclones had another scoreless inning in the fourth, but BYU was able to score a run on a homer hit by Alyssa Podhurcak. Huntyr Ava singled through the left side, and Mari Chavez was hit by a pitch to take first, while pinch runner Alexis Gilio advanced to second. While they were unable to score another run, the Cougars finished the fourth with four runs on five hits.

The fifth inning was scoreless yet again for Iowa State. BYU continued to increase its lead as Epenesa was hit by the pitch and Williams singled to center field. Podhurcak walked, and Macy Simmons grounded out but earned an RBI as Espenesa made her way home for a Cougar run.

An uneventful sixth inning kept BYU in the lead, and after a scoreless final inning for the Cyclones, the game finished with the Cougars winning 5-0.

Up Next

BYU will face Iowa State again on Saturday for the final game of the series. The game will begin at 1 p.m. MDT at Gail Miller Field and will be available on byutv.org and the BYUtv App.