All aspects of the game seem to be coming together for Cyclone softball in the preseason.

Iowa State came out on top Sunday in a doubleheader against the Muscatine Community College, wining 8-3 and 19-1, as the entire team saw playing time, including the seven new freshmen. The idea was to give the younger players real game-type experience to prepare them for the future.

The Cyclones feel confident in their playing abilities and said they can begin to see a growth from previous seasons.

The biggest difference in this year’s team is one more year of experience for eleven of the players.

“The first year is such a learning year,” coach Stacey Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “In their second year, players are so much better mentally and technically.”

 On Sunday, Rachel Zabriskie and Lauren Kennewell both pitched mostly strikes against MCC, not walking any batters. Cyclone pitching, combined, allowed only four runs in their last three games.

The Cyclones played clean and methodical offense where base-running is as equally important as hitting. A pair of stolen bases in the bottom of the second inning by outfielders Carleigh Berry and Kelsey Kidwell led to a two run home run by infielder Courtney Wray in the second game of the doubleheader.

 Batting has been premiere, averaging over eight runs a game. Iowa State aims to evaluate the opposing pitcher in an inning or less, Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. Four Cyclones batted in the first inning compared to sixteen in the second inning.

Berry again set the tone for the Cyclones, going 4-5 and scoring twice and stealing one base in the second game. Like Berry, Bianca Lopez and Katie Harms both went 4-5.

Kidwell highlighted Iowa State’s consistent hitting, going 5-5 and scoring three runs. The Cyclones approach at the plate was to wait for good pitches and make strong contact to drive the ball into gaps. The Cyclones added three players coming off the bench to go 5-5.

Since so many players were hitting the ball well, the bases were loaded often. The Cyclones capitalized on their opportunities and drove in nineteen runs.

The MCC pitchers combined for five hit batters. Sydni Jones took a fastball to the arm and was then taken out of the game. Despite the wild pitches, the Cyclones were patient and stuck to their technique.

Iowa State wraps up the fall season this week, playing Iowa Central CC Tuesday at 3:30 and Wednesday in a make-up game against NIACC at 4:00.

The Cyclones plan to tweak minor swinging, throwing and game mechanics as necessary before playing against more competitive teams in the spring.

“The fall games are a gauge to measure what we need to work on in the winter,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.