AMES, Iowa – A third-inning grand slam off the bat of Tatum Johnson was enough to lift Iowa State (22-18, 10-6 Big 12) over Kansas (18-21, 4-12 Big 12) on Thursday afternoon, as the Cyclones took their fifth Big 12 series-opening win of the season off the Jayhawks, 4-2.

The Cyclones are one of two Big 12 teams to have won all of their series-openers. Texas Tech, the lone other, plays Arizona later this evening. The win over Kansas snapped a four-game losing streak to the Jayhawks and gave Coach Jamie Pinkerton his 200th in the dugout at Iowa State. He is one of just three coaches in program history to hit the mark.

The aforementioned Johnson was the standout for Iowa State, as the junior had a game-high three hits and four RBI. She finished the day with a pair of singles and her fourth homer of the season. Jessie Clemons joined Johnson with multiple hits, as she recorded a pair. Sereniti Trice and Isabelle Nosan logged the final two hits for ISU, while Angelina Allen drew a pair of walks.

Lauren Schurman (10-9) got the nod in the circle for the Cyclones, pitching four frames and allowing a pair of runs off four hits. Jaiden Ralston (3) would relieve Schurman and close things down as she allowed just one hit in her final three innings of work. With the save, Ralston now has seven in her career, moving into a tie for third most in program history.

Kansas had five players each record a hit, but was limited to just one extra-base knock, a two-bagger, as the offense was largely stifled. Olivia Bruno (4-4) got the start in the circle but also drove in the Jayhawks’ only two runs as she went the distance.

Kansas jumped out to an early lead, taking advantage of leadoff walk and a pair of singles to score two in the first frame. Presley Limbaugh drew a full count base on balls before being moved to second on an Aynslee Linduff infield single. After a sac bunt moved them both over, Olivia Bruno drove them both in with a single down the left line.

The Cyclones put together a single and a double in the bottom of the frame but a foul out and ground out would end the threat.

The Jayhawks had another strong start in the second with a leadoff single from September Flanagan, but a great double play turned by Reagan Bartholomew and Sydney Malott in the next at-bat removed the baserunning threat.

ISU went three-up, three-down in the second, but broke through in the third. McKenna Andrews led off the frame with a six-pitch walk before moving to second on a Trice bunt single. Clemons then sent a dribbler to third but no play was made, loading the bases. Next up to the plate was Johnson who pounced on the first pitch and smashed it over the left center fence to put ISU up, 4-2.

Iowa State threatened on the base paths a few more times but was unable to add insurance. Following the entrance of Ralston in the fifth, the Cyclones limited KU to just one hit as they went on to win their 22nd game of the season.

Iowa State: Tatum Johnson (4)

Kansas: N/A

WP – Lauren Schurman (10-9): 4.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts

SV – Jaiden Ralston (3): 3.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout

LP – Olivia Bruno (4-4): 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout

The Cyclones will look to secure the series tomorrow afternoon, when they match up with the Jayhawks again at 4 pm. Tomorrow’s action will again be streamed live on ESPN+ and admission to the Cyclones Sports Complex, as always, is free.