The ISU softball team opened up play in the Troy Cox Classic Feb. 15, taking on New Mexico State and Weber State in a doubleheader. It won 13-3 against New Mexico State and 8-6 against Weber State.

The Cyclones defeated the Aggies 13-3 in their first of two games Feb. 15 due to effective pitching and timely hitting, to send Iowa State to its best start since 2011.

Iowa State trailed New Mexico State early 3-0, but took the lead with a 10-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning. The rally started when sophomore designated hitter Aly Cappaert reached base after getting hit by a pitch.

The Cyclones poured it on in the 5th inning with 6 hits including a two-run home run by junior shortstop Lexi Slater. The Cyclones as a team finished with 13 runs on 14 hits.

Katie Johnson pitched five innings while allowing only three runs. The freshman struck out six batters, earning her fifth win in as many starts. Junior Stacy Roggentien closed it out against the Aggies pitching the final two shutout innings. Johnson and Roggentien combined to hold New Mexico State to 3 runs on 4 hits.

Iowa State gave junior Paris Imholz the start in the second game against the Wildcats, which was her first as a Cyclone. After falling behind early 3-0, the Cyclones were able to tie the game with a two-run home run by senior third baseman Sara Rice.

The Cyclones took the lead in the bottom of the third inning on a RBI single by freshman catcher Rachel Hartman and never looked back. Iowa State tallied eight consecutive runs while limiting Weber State to 9 hits for 6 runs to reach 6-0 on the season.

Iowa State will face New Mexico State again at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 followed by Northern Colorado at 9:15 p.m. for its second doubleheader in two days.