OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Iowa State (31-22) earned its third Big 12 semifinals in the last four seasons Friday evening, as it got revenge on six-seeded BYU (32-17) by earning a 4-2 victory.

With the win, the Cyclones keep their postseason hopes alive, as they will advance to face No. 12 Arizona in the semifinals tomorrow. Tomorrow’s semis feature (1) Texas Tech against (5) Arizona State before ISU will meet Arizona.

After going down 1-0 in the second inning, Iowa State rattled off four unearned runs as it went on to earn win number 31 on the year. A pair of Cyclone homers, courtesy of McKenna Andrews and Tatum Johnson, accounted for three of the team’s runs as the team moved on.

Johnson and Andrews tied for a team-high with two hits apiece, while Andrews tied for a game-best with two RBI. Isabelle Nosan, Angelina Allen and Jessie Clemons accounted for the team’s three other hits on the day. Freshman Karlee Ford had the team’s fourth RBI, driving in Clemons on a BYU error.

ISU pitcher Jaiden Ralston (12-9) went the distance for the first time in her career, as the junior hurled all seven frames and allowed just two runs on six hits limiting the potent BYU offense that scored a combined 25 runs against ISU in Ames. Ralston has eclipsed her combined wins from her freshman and sophomore seasons.

For the Cougars, Aleia Agbayani led the charge, as she tied for the team-lead with two hits. Agbayani accounted for both of the team’s RBI, as she had a solo blast and drove in the second on a double. Lindy Milkowski also had a pair of hits for BYU. Kate Dahle (8-6) got the nod to start, allowing three earned runs on six hits.

Iowa State allowed a single baserunner in the top of the first, a walk, before threatening in the bottom of the frame. A pair of two-out singles put runners on the corners for ISU, but a strikeout would end the opportunity.

BYU then struck first in the second, as Aleia Agbayani blasted a one-out ball over the right center fence to put the Cougars on top, 1-0.

The Cyclones stranded a leadoff walk in the bottom of the second but were able to get on the board in the third. A one-out single from Clemons was moved over by a fielding error by BYU which allowed Johnson to get aboard. An Allen walk would then load the bases with just one out. A second BYU error allowed Ford to reach as she drove in Clemons and tied things up at one. A Cougar double play would end the inning though as BYU escaped with just one run surrendered.

After BYU stranded a runner in the top of the fourth, ISU plated a pair in the bottom half to take the lead. A leadoff single from Isabelle Nosan started things off for the Cyclones. An out later, Andrews blasted her fourth home run of the season over the right center fence to put Iowa State on top, 3-1.

Iowa State tacked on one more in the fifth, thanks to the bat of Johnson. After BYU stranded a HBP in the top half, Johnson led off the bottom with a screaming liner that just cleared the right center fence to give the Cyclones a three-run cushion.

The Cougars would plate one in the sixth, but that was as close as they’d come as Iowa State was able to walk away with  postseason win and advance to Friday.

Iowa State: McKenna Andrews (4), Tatum Johnson (7)

BYU: Aleia Agbayani (5)

WP – Jaiden Ralston (12-9): 7.0 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

SV – N/A

LP – Lillie Walker (8-6): 4.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, 1 strikeout

With Friday night’s victory, Iowa State has advanced to the Big 12 Championship Semifinals where they will face 12th-ranked two seed Arizona. The Wildcats were one of two Big 12 school ISU did not face this season, and play is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm with action set to be streamed live on ESPN+.