On the first day of the Sun Devil Classic, Iowa State chalked up a win to open the day against New Mexico State 11-3 in five innings before it fell in six innings to Grand Canyon in another 11-3 contest.

New Mexico State recap

Iowa State opened the Sun Devil Classic with an explosive offensive performance, rolling past New Mexico State 11-3 in a five-inning mercy-rule victory. The Cyclones dominated early, scoring 11 unanswered runs before surrendering three in the bottom of the fifth.

The offense racked up 14 hits, with freshman Sereniti Trice, senior Angelina Allen, freshman Jessie Clemons and junior McKenna Andrews each collecting multiple hits. Seven of those 14 hits went for extra bases, highlighted by Allen’s triple and home run, which drove in five runs.

Andrews contributed two doubles and crossed the plate three times, while Clemons and Trice each went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Juniors Sydney Malott and Reagan Bartholomew added a hit and an RBI apiece.

In the circle, junior Jaiden Ralston delivered a strong performance, going 4.2 innings and allowing just four hits. The only blemish on her line was an unearned three-run home run in the fifth. 

Ralston struck out three and walked one before sophomore Lauren Schurman came in to record the final out. Defensively, the Cyclones committed one error, which led to all three of New Mexico State’s runs.

Grand Canyon recap

The Cyclones struggled in their second game, falling 11-3 in six innings to Grand Canyon. Iowa State gave up two runs in the first before unraveling in the third, allowing eight runs, four earned and four unearned, on seven hits, including two home runs. The Cyclones committed two costly errors in the inning.

Offensively, Iowa State couldn’t replicate its earlier success, managing just four hits while striking out six times and failing to draw a walk. Allen notched two hits and scored a run, while Malott delivered a three-run homer in the fourth to bring Allen and Clemons home.

Defensively, the Cyclones committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs. Schurman started in the circle, lasting 2.1 innings while surrendering four earned runs on six hits. Ralston struggled in relief, giving up four runs, two earned, on three hits without recording an out. Freshman Sami Potvin took over and finished the game, allowing three runs, one earned, on three hits across three innings, striking out two and walking two.

Iowa State looks to bounce back against Portland State at 2:15 p.m. Saturday.