Earlier in the season, the Iowa State softball team took on North Dakota at the Shocker Softball Classic and defeated North Dakota 13-2 in just five innings.

Iowa State had a double-header against North Dakota on April 15. The Cyclones won their first game in a tight 10-7 game. In the second game, the Cyclones defeated North Dakota 16-7 in five innings.

“I think it was we just have a lot more games under our belt,” said junior pitcher Paris Imholz. “It was nice to know what our strengths are and what are our weaknesses. Just knowing how they were coming out we just had to keep the same intensity. We really wanted to come out and win, so I think that added an incentive.”

Even though the Cyclones won, ISU head coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler thought her team could have done better in the first game.

“We did a good job both games out-hitting them,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “I honestly thought the first game we made some mistakes we shouldn’t have made this far in the season, but we were able to out hit our mistakes.”

Senior Sara Davison agreed with her coach. She believes that despite coming out with two wins, the Cyclones game could have been sharper.

“I think we played down to their level a little bit, but in the second game we did a lot better sharping up our defense behind the pitcher to give us a bigger lead,” Davison said.

The Cyclones took the second game as their own. Iowa State matched its record of hits per game. The Cyclones got 19 hits, which is tied with the school record from 1991 against Notre Dame.

In the fourth inning of the second game, the Cyclones were spitting out big hits and securing their lead against North Dakota. There were two back-to-back home runs hit by senior Liana Henry and junior Jorden Spendlove.

Iowa State also had three doubles and a triple. Sophomore Aly Cappaert hit two of the doubles and the other came from freshman catcher Rachel Hartman. The triple was hit by junior, Lexi Slater.

“I think hitting is contagious,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “I always have thought that. Once you get on a roll then you’re capable of keep on going. It just feels good to do that.”

Imholz said she was proud of her team as a whole, adding that she enjoyed herself while winning with her team through the ups and downs after Iowa State entered the day on a six-game losing streak. 

“I think we picked each other up really well,” Imholz said. “We responded after we gave up runs, which we got more than them, so I think it was really nice. Even if we had a rough outing in the field, we made it up with the bats. All of us contributed really well.”

Iowa State will take on Omaha at 4 p.m. April 16 at home. Omaha is 22-15 on the season compared to Iowa State’s 20-21. Davison and the rest of the team said they are ready to take on the Mavericks.

“It’s a quick turnover. This win will be fresh in our minds,” Davison said. “Once you have a day like that hitting it sends a stick of confidence with you so I think the turnover will be pretty well.”