May 17: Iowa State vs. South Dakota State

IOWA STATE REGIONAL
IOWA STATE 7, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 2

AMES, IA – Iowa State took the lead with a five-run rally in the top of the sixth inning, and starting pitcher Emma Hylen (17-9) worked around nine hits to post the win for the Cyclones.

Iowa State (34-23) will play Saturday for a chance to win the regional title.

Megan Rushing singled to center field to score Yanney Ponce, giving the Jackrabbits a 1-0 lead, and that moved to 2-0 after a third-inning solo home run by Ali Herdliska. Iowa State loaded the bases with no outs and got on the board in the fifth inning, on a fielder’s choice by Kaylee Bosworth, to make it 2-1.

Kasey Simpson knotted it up for the Cyclones at 2-all with a double in the sixth, and ISU grabbed the lead with a run-scoring single by Mikayla Ramos. The advantage grew to 5-2 thanks to a two-run double from Sami Williams, and an error by the Jackrabbits allowed a run across to make it 6-2.

Herdliska had three hits for the Jackrabbits (37-18), who will play Eastern Kentucky or Purdue on Saturday to stay alive in the loser’s bracket.