For the second day in a row, the ISU softball team (16-19, 2-3 Big 12) was able to use the long ball to defeat Oklahoma State (24-16, 2-3) in an 8-6 contest.

Shortstop Lexi Slater homered twice to pace the Cyclones offensively. Senior Tori Torrescano pitched a complete game allowing only one run until the 7th inning.

“I needed it for sure,” Slater said. “I’ve been struggling lately but my teammates have been encouraging me and it feels great to finally get out of the slump.”

After a collision with second-baseman Sara Davison in the top of the second inning on a fly ball, Slater bounced back in the bottom half of the inning with her first home run of the day.

“I got the win knocked out of me a little bit there,” Slater said. “We were joking that it knocked some offense back into me.”

This is the first time since 1987 that Iowa State has beaten Oklahoma State twice in one season. 

“Its the most comfortable we’ve looked in back-to-back days all year,” said coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Maybe its the new Cyclone Sports Complex and maybe we are creating our own ‘Hilton Magic’ here.”

Oklahoma State scored five runs in the seventh inning, but would see their rally fall short as Torrescano was able to pitch her way out of the jam. Kat Espinosa took the loss for Oklahoma State.

The series finale against the Cowgirls will take place Sunday, April 7, at noon at the Cyclone Sports complex.