The ISU softball team improved to 14-8 last week, before having their next seven games canceled due to weather.

The Cyclones traveled to Wichita, Kan., to play a trio of games against the Wichita State Shockers over a two-day stretch March 12 and 13.

“I thought we played well, and we were consistent in areas that we haven’t been recently,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “It was a really good opportunity to get some people more experience.”

The Cyclones run-ruled the Shockers on March 12 in five innings in the first game of the series with a 10-2 victory. 

Rachel Zabriskie got the start for the Cyclones and dominated in her four innings of work, giving up no runs on just three hits before being relieved by Lauren Kennewell.

The Cyclone offense manufactured those 10 runs on seven hits as six different players got hits, led by designated hitter Tori Torrescano. Torrescano went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs.

The second game of the day found the Cyclones needing a five-run seventh inning to solidify a 10-5 victory.

Kennewell got the start for the Cyclones, giving up one run on seven hits before being relieved in the fourth inning by Bree Holliday, who was later relieved by Zabriskie for the final two innings.

Heidi Kidwell had a big game on offense for the Cyclones, going 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBIs, while also scoring a pair of runs herself. Freshman Kelsey Enslin got her first two hits of the season, while getting her second start in left field. 

Enslin is one of several inexperienced players who will be competing for permanent starting positions in the outfield after starters Carleigh Berry and Bianca Lopez were dismissed from the team last week for violating team policy.

The Cyclones completed the series sweep of Wichita State on Sunday with a 7-2 victory in which freshmen Enslin and Sara Davison each hit for two RBIs.

A doubleheader against the University of Kansas City-Missouri was cancelled Monday due to rain.

The Cyclones then returned home for some practice before leaving Thursday for the Louisville Slugger Classic in Stanford, Calif. The tournament was eventually called off after rain prevented any games on Friday or Saturday.

The Cyclones will be back in action Tuesday with a doubleheader at home against Creighton. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Southwest Athletic Complex.