The ISU softball team has been led for the last few seasons by Erica Miller and Tori Torrescano, both of whom will see their careers end following the 2013 season.

Iowa State was 21-30 overall and 4-11 in the Big 12 for the last season. Both Miller and Torrescano started all 51 games and were ranked first and second on the team in doubles (11 each), home runs (six and 13), RBIs (50 and 42) and total bases (81 and 93).

Filling the void left by Miller’s and Torrescano’s departure will primarily be Brittany Gomez, Sarah Hawryluk, Sara Davison and Jorden Spendlove.

As a freshman, Gomez batted .351 from the lead-off spot, scoring 48 runs and stealing 28 bases in 30 attempts. Her speed adds a dynamic to the Cyclones’ offense that has seldom been seen.

Hawryluk batted right behind Gomez for much of the season, helping the duo serve as one of the best one-two punches in the conference. Hawryluk was batting .331 through 51 games with 29 runs scored and 26 stolen bases in 30 attempts.

Davison and Spendlove add a depth to the batting order that helped the Cyclones’ offense rank second in the Big 12 in runs scored with 272. Spendlove was third on the team in RBIs with 29 while Davison batted .297 with eight doubles.

The Cyclones are coached by Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler, who played collegiate softball at Missouri and has been at the helm in Ames for eight years. Her career record at Iowa State is 173-227.

The Cyclones have not placed better than seventh in the Big 12 since 1995, and struggle every year to get wins in-conference.

The ISU softball team plays its games at the new Cyclone Sports Complex, located at the intersection of Mortensen Road and Welch Ave. The $13 million complex is also home to the ISU soccer and track and field teams.