SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Iowa State (28-20, 13-8 Big 12) was unable to complete its second conference sweep of the season, as Utah (13-36, 5-16 Big 12) snapped a 13-game losing streak to salvage the weekend series on Senior Day at Dumke Stadium.

The Cyclones had 11 hits on the day, marking their 17th time this year with double figure hits. ISU had 10 or more hits in all three contests over the weekend with Sunday’s 11 going for a series-high. ISU was unable to convert on a few key opportunities though, as it left nine on base – its most in two weeks.

McKenna Andrews and Sereniti Trice led the way for the ISU offense, as each had three singles on the day. Jessie Clemons had a game-high four RBI on a pair of singles, as she delivered a pair of bases-loaded knocks. Tatum Johnson drew a game-best two walks, while Ashley Minor had the team’s fifth RBI in a pinch-hit situation.

Abby Huhn got the start for the Cyclones and tossed a majority of the game, going 4.1 frames. After allowing three earned runs, Jaiden Ralston (10-8) and Lauren Schurman would relieve Huhn. The Utes totaled three more runs against ISU’s relief as they went on to win.

Two Cyclones tallied a pair of hits on the day, as seniors Shelbi Ortiz and Kaylah Nelsen were strong at the top of the lineup. Emily Capobianco totaled three RBI, all on a home run, to lead the team. Hailey Maestretti (4-9) pitched seven innings, allowing five earned runs and striking out five.

Sunday was a slow burn compared to the first two games of the series, as each team went scoreless through the first three frames. Utah left a combined three runners on base in the first two innings, while ISU left the bases stranded in the third.

Utah broke the stalemate in the fourth, taking advantage of a leadoff error to get a runner on. A sacrifice bunt would move the leadoff runner to third before a two-out Sianni Sakai double would drive in the first run of the game to make it 1-0.

Iowa State responded in the fifth, plating a pair on four hits. Four straight singles, courtesy of Tiana Poole, McKenna Andrews, Sereniti Trice and Jessie Clemons did the damage for ISU. Clemons drove in two with her single up the middle. A walk later and the bases were loaded again with no outs. A fielder’s choice and a double play from the Utes would end the threat as the Cyclones took their one-run lead into the bottom of the inning.

The Utes answered emphatically in the bottom half, taking a two-run lead. A leadoff single and walk would put Utah in business early. With one out and a 1-2 count, Emily Capobianco blasted a home run over the left center fence to put Utah in front, as the three-run long ball made it 4-2.

Iowa State put together another productive inning in the sixth, plating three runs to retake the lead, 5-4. After the first two batters were retired, Iowa State rattled off four consecutive singles, for the second straight inning – all coming from the same four Cyclones. Poole, Andrews and Trice loaded the bases with knocks, setting the stage for Clemons again in a high leverage situation. With two outs and a2-2 count, Clemons belted the eighth pitch of the at-bat up the middle to plate two and tie it up. A Tatum Johnson walk would reload the bases and bring up Allen. Allen put pressure on the defense, hitting a ball that ate up the second baseman for an error and allowing for a fifth run to score.

Utah punched back again in the bottom half, using two single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Utah senior Shelbi Ortiz had her senior day moment, as she tripled deep to center field to clear the bases and put the Utes up 6-5. With Ortiz on third, fellow senior Kaylah Nelsen piled on, singling into right to score a seventh.

Down to their final three outs, ISU attempted to rally. Karlee Ford led off the frame with a double to left field before eventually advancing to third on a wild pitch. Pinch hitting, Ashley Minor skyed a ball to deep right field for a sacrifice fly to plate Ford and make it 6-7 with one down. The final two Cyclones would go down quietly as Utah salvaged the series.

Iowa State: N/A

Utah: Emily Capobianco (7)

WP – Hailey Maestretti (4-9): 7.0 IP, 9 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

SV – N/A

LP – Jaiden Ralston (10-8): 1.0 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts

Following its final conference road trip to Utah, Iowa State will head to Iowa City for a midweek contest on Tuesday for its final road trip of the year. The Cyclones and Hawkeyes will meet in the second of two Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk contests with the game starting at 5:30 pm. Action is set to be streamed live on Big Ten Plus.