Softballs pelted the walls of the Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility like hail stones off a Chrysler. Pop flies disappeared into the rafters only to reappear and fall to earth.

While most diamonds encourage power shots and towering home runs, the Bergstrom facility required the softball team to readjust and embrace low, line-drive shots. 

“The ceiling is a much bigger factor than I thought it would be,” said sophomore Erica Miller. “Foul balls were a big thing, and hits that could have been home runs became playable.”

Miller, third baseman and one of the power hitters for the Cyclones, saw a surefire home run negated as the ball soared deep into the outfield before clanking off a beam.

Fake grass has made its way into softball fields across the country, but the football practice turf created another factor for the team to take into consideration.

“The ball gets a lot more bounce off the turf, but it also helps make the ball more playable,” said junior outfielder Bianca Lopez. “You really have to pay attention and read the ball when playing in here.”  

Offensively, the soft, cushioned surface allowed for better sliding and stealing, which became a hallmark of the team throughout the weekend. Lopez contributed to a stealing clinic that saw the squad successful at 9 of 10 attempts and kept a steady flow of Cyclones in scoring position.

While the turf and ceiling both created diverse elements, the team feels that it had an advantage coming into the tournament.

Both Lopez and Miller said the team’s year-round use of the facility for practice enabled them to better read the ball off the rafters and know what balls were playable.

“We knew what to expect and what was going to happen,” Miller said. “We just have to try to adapt to wherever we play.”

Iowa State’s adoration for the facility showed through much of the tournament. Through four games, the team allowed only three runs. Offensively, they were able to overcome the slew of ricochet fouls and score 49 runs over the first two days.

Heading into the tournament, many questions arose about playing in such a unique location. The field may have contained yard markers and a ceiling seemingly designed to deter home runs, but the Cyclones turned these obstacles into advantages on their way to a 5-1 tournament record.