Sun Devils travel to Iowa for first time to take on Cyclones

(Photo credit: Madison Sorenson/WCSN)

After a tough series against rival Arizona, Arizona State softball takes on another Big 12 Conference opponent as conference play gets into full swing.

The Sun Devils struggled on the offensive side of the plate, scoring just five runs across three games, but were able to do just enough in game three to avoid a sweep.

In games one and two, ASU had just 10 hits combined against the Wildcats, but ended the series on a good note with its eight hits and three runs.

ASU (23-10, 5-4 Big 12) now has a chance to improve its record this weekend as it travels to Ames to take on the Cyclones.

Iowa State will go into the weekend (14-14, 4-2 Big 12 ) having won three games in a row. This past weekend, the Cyclones flew to Orlando to take on UCF.

The Big 12 foes played all three games of their series excruciatingly close, but Iowa State won every contest by scores of 2-0 in nine innings, 3-2 and 1-0, respectively. The Cyclones will be looking to keep their hot streak rolling and continue to improve their Big 12 record.

On the flip side, ASU hopes it can ride the momentum it had from the final game of the Arizona series into more Big 12 success.

Arizona State has dominated the series history between these two schools. The Sun Devils have a series record of 13-4 against the Cyclones, including winning the last seven meetings and eight of the last ten.

With this being the first time the two sides face off as conference rivals, this could be their most important meeting yet.

The Sun Devils have relied heavily on senior right-handed pitcher Kenzie Brown. Brown has been nothing short of dominant in 2025 to the tune of a 0.98 ERA in 86.0 innings pitched. Not only that, but Brown also boasts a sparkling 12-2 record, including a win in the last game of the Arizona series.

Brown was lights out against the Wildcats, allowing just one run in six innings, playing the catalyst in avoiding the sweep.

On the offensive side of the coin, junior outfielder Tanya Windle and graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall have been carrying the load.

Windle is second on the team in batting average (.382) and leads ASU in hits (42), doubles (11) and triples (3). Hall leads ASU in OPS (1.102), RBIs (35), slugging percentage (.667) and on-base percentage (.435).

For the Cyclones, a pair of freshman infielders have been leading the offensive charge. Jessie Clemons and Sereniti Trice are tied for the team lead in batting average with .372.

Iowa State should be happy with both Clemons and Trice as they have played fantastic defense in the middle infield and have shown they can be threats at the top of the lineup. Both should be fixtures for the Cyclones for years to come.

Arizona State has only played six games on the road so far this season. This trip to Ames against a gritty, hot and tough Cyclones team could be a challenge for the Sun Devils as both squads look to continue to climb the Big 12 standings.