No. 21 Softball Out-Slugs Iowa State in Series Opener, 8-5No. 21 Softball Out-Slugs Iowa State in Series Opener, 8-5

No. 21 Softball Out-Slugs Iowa State in Series Opener, 8-5

by Ryan Ladika
Box Score

AMES, Iowa – Embarking on their final regular-season conference series this spring, the road warrior Knights produced their latest convincing display away from their home field.

“We like to be the visiting team and set the tone for the game early offensively,” said sophomore outfielder Izzy Mertes. “It was amazing to come out and do what we did immediately and establish how we want this weekend to go. It’s important to start off strong and carry that momentum through next couple of games.”

Mertes hit one of three Knights home runs Friday evening, helping lead the charge to the No. 21 UCF softball team’s 8-5 win over Iowa State at the Cyclone Sports Complex and aiding the squad in clinching its 37th win of the spring.

The Black and Gold’s latest triumph brought the program to within three wins of recording its first 40-win season since joining the Big 12, and the team’s 13th conference win of the year set a new single-season best in its Big 12 era as well.

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It also represented the latest in a trend of excellence on the road for the 2026 Knights, who improved to 12-5 away from Orlando overall and 8-2 in road conference matchups this season. UCF rattled off 12 hits in its winning effort, representing its sixth road game of the year in double figures, and with home runs by Mertes, Sierra Humphreys and Beth Damon, clinched its fourth multi-home run game on the road.

The squad enjoyed a fast start to the affairs, plating four runs before right-hander Isabella Vega threw her first pitch of the game. Mertes, Aubrey Evans and Kendall Yarnell gave the Black and Gold an early spark, loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk in the top of the first inning, and Humphreys provided the key hit.

She lined an 0-1 offering from Iowa State starter Jaiden Ralston over the left center field wall, clubbing the first grand slam of her collegiate career and her 12th home run of the season overall to lift her team to an early 4-0 lead.

“I was just trying to go off everyone’s approach earlier in the inning. I was only looking to hit a sacrifice fly to get the run in from third, and I didn’t think it was going out at first. It felt really good afterward.”

Sierra Humphreyssecond baseman

The long ball represented UCF’s fifth grand slam of the season, breaking a tie with the 2014 Knights for the most in a single season in program history, and extended the team’s program record home run total to 61 overall.

UCF was far from finished offensively, though, as the squad would score four more times over the next three innings, including a second-inning two-run shot by Mertes, a third-inning Samantha Rey RBI single, and a fourth-inning solo home run by Damon.

With the offensive contributions by Mertes and Humphreys, the pair both eclipsed the 50-RBI mark on the season, becoming the first two Knights to drive in at least 50 in a single season since Jada Cody’s prolific 75-RBI 2022 campaign. Mertes and Humphreys now join Cody and UCF Hall-of-Famer Stephanie Best as the third and fourth Knights in program history to drive in at least 50 runs in a single season.

“I set a goal of trying to hit 50 RBI this year, so doing that is really special. But I just try to have selfless at-bats and trying to do that for my team is something that has helped me through this season. I’m proud of that, and proud of CC too.”

Izzy Mertesleft fielder

The offensive output proved sufficient for Vega, who overcame a third-inning Cyclones comeback bid en route to throwing her 11th complete game of the season.

Outside of a four-run Cyclones third, Vega was masterful in stifling the Iowa State lineup throughout the afternoon, permitting just five hits and striking out eight, her second highest strikeout total of the season behind her 10-punchout performance against George Washington Feb. 28.

“Today was a challenge, they had a big inning, but I was able to continue to battle back and not give up,” Vega said. “I’m proud that I was able to go all seven innings and get the win for us. You go through adversity every single game, but it’s important to reset once the inning’s done and getting back to the next batter.”

Vega clinched her 17th winning decision of the season, the most in a single season by a Knights pitcher since Sarah Willis earned 19 victories in 2023.

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UP NEXT
UCF looks to clinch the series in game two Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.