Waukee native Reagan Bartholomew capped off a stunning series finale by launching a 245-foot walk-off home run over the center field fence to secure a 12-10 comeback victory for Iowa State on Monday.
Entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cyclones trailed No. 14 Arizona 10-5 after a disastrous six-run frame bolstered by three Iowa State errors. With two outs and a runner on first, the Cyclones ignited an improbable seven-run rally. Following a walk by Ashley Minor, Victoria Prado, McKenna
Andrews, Jessie Clemons, and Tatum Johnson all delivered consecutive RBI hits to bring the team within one run.
Bartholomew then provided the aforementioned fireworks with her three run blast, marking Iowa State’s first ranked win of the season. She has 10 home runs to her name on the season.
The win is the the first over the No. 14 team in the nation since April 7, 2012, when the Cyclones defeated Texas A&M 2-1.
The series opener was a high-scoring affair defined by an onslaught of hitting power, as the two teams combined for eight home runs.
Arizona established a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Iowa State fought back with a barrage of solo and multi-run homers from Kadence Shepherd, Reagan Bartholomew, Sydney Malott and Tiana Poole. By the bottom of the third, the Cyclones had trimmed the deficit to a single run at 8-7.
However, the Wildcats managed to silence the Iowa State bats for the remainder of the game while adding two insurance runs to finalize a 10-7 win. Arizona’s Jenae Berry earned the victory after throwing nearly five innings of relief and surrendering only two runs.
In the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, Iowa State appeared to be in total control, holding a 7-2 lead heading into the final inning. The Cyclone offense was led by Karlee Ford, who put together a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate with three runs batted in, including a two-run home run.
Tatum Johnson also contributed a two-run shot to help build the five-run cushion.
However, the Wildcats mounted a furious six-run rally in the top of the seventh to snatch an 8-7 lead.
Despite getting two runners aboard in their final turn at bat, the Cyclones were unable to capitalize, ending the game with 12 runners left on base.
Iowa State will be back in action Wednesday, as the Cyclones are on the road against the Hawkeyes.
