AMES, Iowa – Senior Cyclone Erica Miller drove in two runs on Sunday, tying the Iowa State record for career RBI at 134, as the Cyclones (17-19, 3-3 Big 12) completed the sweep of Oklahoma State (24-17, 2-4 Big 12). The sweep is the first for Iowa State since the Big 12 moved to the three-game format last season and marks the first time Iowa State has defeated OSU three times in a season since 1987.
Sophomore Jorden Spendlove joined Miller with two RBI in the game, and Maddie Reese was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.
During the debut weekend for the Cyclone Sports Complex, the Cyclones hit .378, smashing five home runs on .578 slugging. Iowa State stole seven bases over the weekend, getting four thefts from Sarah Hawryluk who counts 16 steals for the year.
Oklahoma got on the board in the first as Cyclone Riley Fisher gave up three hits and walked two batters. A throwing error by the Cyclones plated OSU's first run of the game and a single from Samantha Chrisman scored another run for the visitors. A double play ball lined to short off the bat of Amy Graham helped limit the damage, and Fisher worked to close out the inning without allowing another run to score.
A single to left from Tiffany Mikkelson in the top of the second put two more runs across for the Cowgirls, who took their largest lead of the weekend at 4-0.
Oklahoma State hurler Kat Espinosa continued her second inning struggles on Sunday, giving up four runs and allowing Iowa State to tie the score, 4-4. After two quick outs to start the frame, Espinosa walked both Sara Rice and Lexi Slater. Brittany Gomez singled, and a throwing error by the Cowgirls sent Rice across home. A single from Hawryluk brought in Iowa State's second run and Miller's double evened the score. During the three-game series, Iowa State scored a combined 10 second-inning runs off Espinosa.
Espinosa (13-10) absorbed all three losses for the Cowgirls over the weekend. On Sunday, Espinosa was charged with 10 Cyclone hits, nine runs, eight earned, while walking five and striking out four.
After a Taylor Smith wild pitch put Oklahoma State on top, 5-4, Reese hit a long ball to left field for the second tie of the game. Smith (7-6) would record the win with three innings of relief work in which she allowed three runs on six hits, walked one and struck out one.
At the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth, Spendlove laced a single to right field, bringing in two more runs for the Cyclones and Tori Torrescano crossed the plate for the third run of the play on a throwing error by the Cowgirl right fielder.
Still in the fourth, Rice stepped to the plate with runners at second and third and hit the ball into the dirt in front of home plate, deadening all movement. Although the Cowgirls defense seemed to have both Davison and Reese caught in run downs during the play, both players advanced successfully, giving the Cyclones a four run lead.
Mikkelson drove in two more runs for Oklahoma State in the sixth with a double to left, finishing the day 2-for-3 at the plate with four runs batted in.
Throwing the final two innings, Torrescano (2) earned the save, not allowing a run or a walk while giving up three hits and fanning two.
Iowa State will break from conference play on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, hosting Drake on April 9 before visiting the Bulldogs on April 10. Both games are slated for 4 p.m. CDT first pitches.
