AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (20-30, 6-18 Big 12) wrapped up the regular season on Sunday, falling to UCF (30-22, 12-15 Big 12) at the Cyclones Sports Complex by a score of 4-0 on Senior Day.

The Cyclones celebrated nine seniors on the after, with eight of the nine appearing in game. Karlie Charles, Kali Gose, Sophie Maras, Camille Marin, Milaysia Ochoa, Alesia Ranches and Carli Spelhaug all started on senior day while both Abby Gunter and Kelly Treves saw action over the weekend.

Iowa State was held to just two hits on the day, with both coming from the top of the order. Ochoa and Angelina Allen both notched singles while Maras drew a pair of walks and Ashley Minor reached via HBP.

Continuing her solid pitching from Friday, Charles (5-8) got her second start in the circle of the series on Sunday. She was lights out for the first five innings before a pair of big swings from UCF turned the tide of the game. Charles came off the field with one out to go in the seventh to a standing ovation before Lauren Schurman finished the frame.

UCF’s three and four hitters, Shannon Doherty and Sona Halajian, each had a pair of hits on the day. Doherty had a two-run homer in the sixth to break the stalemate. Jada Cody had the other big swing for the Knights, as the third baseman launched a homer for the second straight game in the top of the seventh.

Sarah Willis (9-9) bounced back from her poor Friday outing by tossing a complete game and allowing just the two hits. Willis struck out six Cyclones in the process.

How it Happened

The two teams combined for three hits in the first frame, but things called down after that. Both pitchers, Charles and Willis, really settled in, as the second, third and fourth innings went three up, three down on each side.

The Knights notched their third hit of the game in the fifth but ended up stranding the runner as the game turned to the sixth.

UCF broke the stalemate in the sixth, taking a two-run lead. With a runner on first, Doherty cranked a homer to dead center to give the Knights a lead. UCF plated two more in the seventh via Jada Cody two-run homer to extend its lead, eventually going on to win, 4-0.

On Deck

The Cyclones now turn their attention to the postseason, as the Big 12 Softball Championship begins this week in Oklahoma City. Iowa State will face off with Texas Tech for the first time this season in the opening round of the tournament after the previous series was canceled due to weather. ISU and TTU will meet on Wednesday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. and the game will be livestreamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.