ISU Drops Series-Opener to BYU in Provo

PROVO, Utah – Iowa State (16-23, 5-11 Big 12) dropped its series-opening game to the BYU Cougars (24-19, 6-13 Big 12) on Thursday night, falling 5-1.

A pair of home runs from Keila Kamoku sparked the Cougar offense, as she drove in three runs and was one of two players to have multiple hits in the game. BYU also got lockdown relief pitching from Ailana Agbayani who entered in the fourth inning and finished the game without allowing a hit.

The Cyclones, who are aiming for their first-ever win in Provo, were limited to just three hits on the night. Milaysia Ochoa accounted for the only Cyclone run, as the senior torched her second home run in her last three games. Ashley Minor and Camille Marin also both had hits on the night.

Jaiden Ralston got the start in the circle for the Cyclones, pitching the first 3.1 innings before re-entering in the sixth to record the final two outs. Ralston was relieved in the middle innings by Lauren Schurman who allowed three runs on five hits during her time in the game.

Maddie Udall joined Kamoku with two hits on the evening, with the third baseman recording a triple in the game. Five other Cougars had hits on the night with both Maddie Bejarano and Hailey Morrow earning RBI.

Chloe Temples started the game for BYU, tossing 3.1 innings of action. Temples allowed three hits and a run on Ochoa's homer. Ailana Agbayani delivered in relief, striking out three in 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.

How it Happened
Both teams left a runner stranded in the first frame, as the scoring didn't get started until the second.

After the Cyclones left runners stranded on the corners in the top of the second, BYU put one on the board as the frame flipped. A pair of singles and a wild pitch put two in scoring position for the Cougars before Hailey Morrow launched one to deep center field. Ochoa would make the catch, but BYU was able to tag up and score from third to take a 1-0 lead.

ISU took little time to respond, as Ochoa blasted her fourth home run of the season over the right field fence to lead off the third inning and tie the game up at one apiece. That would be it for either team in the third, as all six remaining batters in the frame were retired.

Ashley Minor drew a walk and Camille Marin singled up the middle to put a pair on the path for ISU in the fourth, but a flyout and a double play would spell the end of the Cyclone threat.

As the frame flipped, BYU got a one-out, stand-up triple to put a runner in scoring position. Keila Kamoku was next up, and the junior second baseman launched her fifth homer of the year to left field, plating a pair and making it 3-1 in favor of the Cougars.

Neither team was able to get much going in the fifth, as the game turned to the sixth. A three up, three down top of the frame for the Cyclones then gave way to the Cougar bats.

For the second time on the night, Kamoku hit a home run, this time a solo shot, to make it 4-1 in favor of BYU. A pair of singles would force an ISU pitching change and a walk would then load the bases with just one out. A sacrifice fly to center would plate one for BYU as it pushed the game to 5-1.

Iowa State was shut out in the seventh, as BYU held on to win its 24th game of the season.

Thursday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Milaysia Ochoa (4)
BYU: Keila Kamoku 2(6)

WP – Ailana Agbayani (4-1): 3.2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Jaiden Ralston (3-6): 4.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

On Deck
The Cyclones will return to Gail Miller Field tomorrow, April 19, to match up against the Cougars in the second game of the weekend series. Iowa State and BYU will meet on Friday at 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

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Team Stats

Milaysia Ochoa

Ashley Minor

Camille Marin

Angelina Allen

Players Mentioned

Camille Marin

Ashley Minor

Milaysia Ochoa

Jaiden Ralston

Lauren Schurman

Players Mentioned

Camille Marin

Ashley Minor

Milaysia Ochoa

Jaiden Ralston

Lauren Schurman

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics