Gophers Shut Out Cyclones
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Cyclones (2-6, 0-0 Big 12) closed out the Littlewood Classic at Arizona State on Sunday with a 12-0 loss to Minnesota (7-2, 0-0 Big Ten). The loss is Iowa State's fifth-straight and the second loss to the Gophers during the weekend.
Iowa State's offense recorded six hits on Sunday, including two each by Dalyn Varela and Jorden Smith but the Cyclones were unable to successfully advance runners home, stranding six on the bases.
In the second inning, the Gophers got on the board with a leadoff home run by Alex Davis off Iowa State starter Madison Jones (0-1) who worked the first two innings and returned in the sixth to record two outs. In the game, Jones gave up three earned runs on three Minnesota hits, walking one and striking out one in her second appearance of the season.
Minnesota plated two more runs in the third inning on a two-run double by Kaitlyn Richardson and added three more off home runs by Gophers Madie Eckstrom and Bree Blanchette, who hit a home run in Friday's Cyclone loss.
After adding four more runs to lead 7-0 heading into the sixth, Minnesota tacked on five more runs in the sixth inning, taking the 12-0 lead behind Eckstrom's second home run of the day, a three-run shot to center field.
Next weekend the Cyclones are in Palm Springs, Calif. for the Cathedral Classic, Feb, 23-25. Thursday's games are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. against Fresno State and Oregon State, respectively. Both times central.
