The softball season began for the Cyclones this past weekend with a loss to Valparaiso 11-5 on Saturday. However, they regathered themselves quickly on Sunday, beating Green Bay 3-2 and Western Illinois 6-2 to round out their first three games of the season with a 2-1 record.

The season began in Ames instead of the UNI Dome because of a malfunction in machinery resulting in the field not being laid down for the teams.

While Sunday was a great rebound for the team, coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler said she is concerned about the consistency of her young team early in the season.

“Saturday was not good at all,” Geimenhardt-Cesler said. “I really don’t have an excuse for them. I think that they appeared super nervous and really unsure, which they shouldn’t have been because they have been working really hard.”

Freshman Miranda Kemp made her first collegiate start Saturday after having surgery on her shoulder in the fall. Kemp pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and six runs in her debut.

“I definitely had a lot running through my head [Saturday],” Kemp said.”I feel like I just put a lot of pressure on myself.”

Sunday, however, was a different story for the Cyclones, who looked like a different team with quality starts from Kemp and junior pitcher Tori Torrescano.

“Obviously it’s really nice to get wins,” Torrescano said. “I’ve worked really hard this past fall and put a lot of extra time in, so going into the game, I have a little more confidence than I’ve had in the past and I just feel a lot more comfortable.”

Kemp’s second outing was much better after her debut loss Saturday.

“People see the stats I had from high school and wanted to see what I had,” Kemp said. “But Sunday I went out there with a kind of ‘I don’t care’ attitude and I think I did pretty well.”

In her second outing, Kemp pitched six innings while allowing four hits and two runs. She was relieved by Torrescano, who came in and pitched two innings, giving up only two hits and one run to seal the victory for the Cyclones.

“I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be,” Torrescano said. “I really think I need to work on not leaving balls over the meat of the plate, but overall I was pleased with myself for being able to come in and throw to my ability.”

Kemp, Torrescano and the rest of the Cyclones will be back in action on Friday in Tempe, Ariz., for the Littlewood Classic hosted by defending national champion Arizona State.

“I think that the girls need to understand that they can have talent and can play,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “They just need to allow themselves to play like they are capable of.”

Action is set to begin at 10 a.m.