The ISU softball team traveled to El Paso, Texas, this weekend for the UTEP Invitational. The Cyclones came away with a weekend split, going 2-2 against their competition.

Iowa State (6-11) began competition Friday against familiar foe Valparaiso, which it faced earlier this season in Ames. Much like the first meeting — an 11-5 loss — Iowa State again fell to Valparaiso, this time 16-7.

On Saturday, the Cyclones were shut out against Texas-San Antonio, losing in a 4-0 bout.

The Cyclones responded, however, picking up a narrow 7-6 victory against UTEP in the second game of the day.

Pitcher Breeanna Holliday pitched four innings, giving up seven hits and five runs, to give Iowa State a 3-1 lead. Holliday was briefly replaced in the fifth inning by Miranda Kemp, who gave up two hits and one run.

Tori Torrescano came in in relief and pitched three innings, giving up only one hit and picking up her first save of the season.

On Sunday, Iowa State looked like a completely different team, exploding for 17 runs in a 17-3 romping of Brown. Torrescano again was the winning pitcher for the Cyclones, pitching all five innings, giving up six hits and five runs.

Torrescano was most impressive on the offensive side of the ball along with teammate Erica Miller, who hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning and again in the fourth inning.

Freshman Lexi Slater also added an exclamation point to the game with her first grand slam of her young career in the second inning.

The Cyclones will try to continue the two-game winning streak beginning March 10 when they travel to Springfield, Mo., for three games at Missouri State.