DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa State (23-8, 0-3 Big 12) defeated Drake (5-19, 1-5 MVC), 12-5, on Tuesday night at Buel Field. Carli Spelhaug and Sami Williams each went 3-of-4 at the plate, with Williams tallying a home run and three RBI.
Mikayla Ramos also homered and piled up four RBI in the Cyclone win.
Iowa State 12, Drake 5
The Cyclones took an early behind a RBI double by freshman Milaysia Ochoa in the top of the first inning. Carli Spelhaug earned a lead-off walk for Iowa State, then stole second and advanced to third on a Bulldog error. With two outs, Ochoa capitalized for the Cyclones, driving a double to left field, plating Spelhaug to put ISU in front 1-0.
The Bulldogs knotted the game at 1-1, as Macy Johnson scored an unearned run, capitalizing on an Iowa State error.
Skyler Ramos picked up a RBI single as Iowa State regained the lead in the top of the second. Ramos plated Kali Gose, who reached on a Drake throwing error. Sami Williams drove in two more runs on a RBI single to center field, putting Iowa State in front 4-1 after two.
Drake responded in the home half of the third, plating a pair of runs on RBI base hits by Emily Valtman and Laura Anderson, cutting the Iowa State advantage to 4-3.
Junior Mikayla Ramos continued her offensive tear in the top of the fourth. The native of Riverside, Calif., crushed her fifth home run in the last six games on a three-run shot to center field. The homer brought Williams and Carli Spelhaug in to score to make the Cyclone lead 7-3.
The Bulldogs threatened once again the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs. However, sophomore Ellie Spelhaug entered to relieve starter Janessa Jasso. Spelhaug worked her way out of trouble, letting in just one run on a fielders choice.
In the top of the sixth inning, Williams crushed a solo home run to right center, extending the lead to 8-4. It was the seniors 15th homer of the season, the second-most in a single season in school history. Drake answered with a run of their own in the home half of the inning.
Iowa State broke the game wide open in the top of the seventh. Mikayla Ramos collected a RBI base hit, followed by a two-RBI single for Ochoa. Ochoa then stole second and came all the way around to score on a Bulldog error, as the Cyclones pulled away, 12-5.
Jasso picked up her first win of the season in the start. The sophomore went 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs. Ellie Spelhaug picked up her third save of the season with an excellent effort in relief.
On Deck
The Cyclones resume Big 12 play with a three-game series vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. The series is set to begin on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT.
