Softball in February? Not in Iowa, that’s for sure.

The snowstorm Feb. 21 might affect a team trying to migrate south for the weekend.

The ISU softball team travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., this weekend for four non-conference games in the Carolina Classic. Feb. 23, the Cyclones will hit the diamond against George Washington and tournament host North Carolina, then finish the road trip on Feb. 24 against Iona and Penn State.

“Right now, any time we can get outside and play, it helps us get stronger,” ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “The good competition we’ll face this weekend will help us prepare for a very strong Big 12 conference.”

The team is off to a 6-3 start and will try to focus on fundamentals this weekend.

“A focus on defense, attacking the ball and going all-out for every play will help us this weekend,” said senior Erica Miller. “Our offense has been awesome, so if we can just do the defense right we should be in good shape.”

After scouting Penn State and North Carolina this past week, Miller and company have certain pitches on their radar. 

“We’ve been working on rise-balls, screwballs and drop-balls,” Miller said. “Just those three main pitches, which is different from last week, where they threw a lot more curve. We will keep an eye out for the overpowering speed pitches too.”

Gemeinhardt-Cesler thinks there is one last key to success in this upcoming weekend’s games.

“We’ve got to eliminate the big inning on defense with some basic fundamentals, and look for the big inning while we’re on offense,” Gemeiinhardt-Cesler said. “Avoid giving up back-to-back hits and walks, and making the plays that go the extra mile to get important outs.”