Iowa State secured a dramatic 13-9 victory over No. 22 University of Central Florida on May 2, keeping its postseason hopes alive in Big 12 play.
The Cyclones came from behind to win after trailing for much of the game, highlighted by sophomore Karlee Ford’s walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. The win marked Iowa State’s third ranked victory this season and set up a crucial final regular-season game for tournament qualification.
Iowa State trailed UCF, 4-0, through three and a half innings before scoring eight runs across the fourth and fifth innings to take an 8-4 lead. However, UCF responded with five runs in the top of the seventh to regain a one-run advantage. With two outs and bases loaded in their last at-bat, Ford hit her second home run of the game—a grand slam—to clinch the win for Iowa State.
Ford drove in five runs during her second career multi-homer game and tied teammates Tatum Johnson and Sydney Malott with two hits each. Malott also homered and collected two RBIs while Jessie Clemons contributed two more RBIs for Iowa State. Liv Palumbo started on the mound for ISU, pitching three innings before Lauren Schurman took over in relief with three strikeouts across another three frames. Jaiden Ralston closed out the final inning without allowing any hits or runs.
For UCF, four players had two hits apiece as they totaled thirteen hits overall. Aubrey Evans led with three RBIs while Ashleigh Griffin added two more for the Knights. Five different pitchers appeared for UCF; Isabella Vega was charged with the loss after surrendering Ford’s decisive homer.
Iowa State must now defeat UCF again tomorrow and hope Utah loses to Arizona to secure a spot in the Big 12 Tournament’s top eight seeds; otherwise, their postseason run will end.
