The ISU softball team defeated in-state rival Iowa 4-3 in comeback fashion on Wednesday.

Action began early in the contest as ISU pitcher Tori Torrescano allowed back-to-back home runs in the second inning opening the game up for Hawkeyes (17-22, 7-5 Big Ten).

“I think that for a second [the home runs] got us back on our heels a little bit,” said coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Then I thought in between innings [the team] talked about it, and we had to put it behind us and we know that we can score more than two runs, and we were going to be alright.”

But the Cyclones had the answer as first basemen Erica Miller hit a two run home run, tying the game for Iowa State (13-28, 1-11 Big 12).

“I don’t want to say that was luck,” Miller said. “That pitcher is my age and I’ve been playing against her every year. I know she doesn’t throw the fastest, but she has good speed, and so I was just trying to hit it as hard as I could.”

The home run is the 26th of Miller’s career putting her in second in Iowa State history.

“[Miller is] huge,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “The thing about her is she works so hard. She loves the game; she loves to compete; she’s a great student; and she’s everything you want in a student athlete.”

The 2-2 tie was broken in the top of the sixth inning however as left fielder Ashley Akers hit a solo home run putting Iowa ahead 3-2.

Torrescano was replaced in the same inning after allowing five hits and three runs. Taylor Smith (4-3) took the circle and finished the game for the Cyclones pitching 1.1 innings with two hits and no runs.

“Tori did a great job throughout the game,” Smith said. “It was a good confidence builder I think. And I think games like that are the ones that help you at the end of the season.”

The Hawkeyes took the lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before Sara Davison was able to hit an RBI single that scored the tying run for the Cyclones.

“They took a time out, and I went to talk to coach ‘G’ and she told me take the first pitch and try and drive it,” Davison said, “I was thinking about hitting it to the right side and scoring the run and taking the out. But she told me to take one pitch and swing hard.”

Then Miller, who began the day with a home run, capped off her day with an RBI double to score the final run and seal the victory for the Cyclones.

“I didn’t really see it,” Miller said. “But I know I usually hit the ball pretty hard so as long as I put the bat on it, it goes pretty hard.”

Iowa State faced Iowa earlier in the season in a Tempe, Ariz., and took a pounding as the Iowa offense exploded for a decisive 26-5 win over the Cyclones.

“I remember [the Iowa loss] still,” Miller said. “Even though it was nice to win today and it was good to beat them here in Iowa in state with our fans, it definitely still kind of stung a little bit. But we got the last laugh.”