AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (21-32, 4-12 Big 12) lost the first game of its weekend series with Kansas (32-16, 7-8 Big 12) on Friday, 8-0, at the Cyclone Sports Complex. Freshman Brittany Gomez had two hits on the day for Iowa State.
Gomez’s two hits accounted for half of Iowa State’s offense against Kansas, with Aly Cappaert and Jorden Spendlove each tallying singles as well. No Cyclone had extra-bases against Kansas starter Kelsey Kessler (10-6) who threw a complete game while giving up no runs on four hits, not walking a Cyclone and striking out four.
Cappaert singled with one out in the Iowa State second and advanced to second on a passed ball but would get no further as Kessler set down the next two batters.
All was quiet until the top of the third when the Jayhawks connected for five hits and six runs. After back-to-back singles from Ashley Newman and Alex Jones, both runners advance on a fly out. The Cyclones walked Kansas freshman Alex Hugo, who was hitting .417 entering the game, to load the bases. Tori Torrescano got Chaley Brickey to pop out to second base for the inning’s second out, but Mariah Montgomery came through for the visitors, doubling to center field and clearing the bases.
Maddie Stein reached in the following at-bat with a single before Chanin Naudin stepped up and hit the first of two Jayhawk home runs in the game for the 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the frame, Iowa State again put runners in scoring position as Maddie Reese and Brittany Gomez reached third and second, respectively. Reese was hit by a pitch to start the inning before Gomez reached on a bunt base hit, and both runners advanced on a throwing error by Kessler. However, the hurler collected herself, striking out Sarah Hawryluk and getting a groundout from Erica Miller to shut down the Cyclone scoring threat.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Maggie Hull went deep with a shot to right field, driving in two runs and extending Kansas’ lead to 8-0.
Down to their final out in the fifth, the Cyclones got back-to-back singles from Spendlove and Gomez but it was not enough as pinch hitter Liana Henry grounded harmlessly to third for the final out.
Torrescano (11-14) recorded the loss, also throwing a complete game. The senior gave up eight runs on 11 hits, walked three and fanned three.
Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day at the Cyclone Sports Complex, and the Cyclones will be handing out foam fingers to the first 100 fans into the park. Prizes will also be award throughout the day. First pitch of game two is slated for noon CDT.
