The ISU softball team won their first home games of the season on Tuesday, sweeping Western Illinois (3-16) in a doubleheader at the Southwest Athletic Complex, 4-1 and 3-1.

In the first game, all the Cyclones’ runs came on homers by sophomore Courtney Wray, junior Jacquelyn Beatty and freshman Sara Stinson. Wray finished the game with 2-for-3 hitting and a stolen base.

By game time, strong winds ranging from 28-36 mph were blowing out to right field. ISU hitters took advantage of the gusts, belting two of their season-high three home runs to that part of the field.

“We weren’t trying to hit home runs, but the wind definitely helped,” Wray said.

Senior pitcher Amie Ford struggled in the first inning but bounced back with six strong innings. After getting the first two batters to ground out, she gave up two singles with a walk sandwiched between, leading to the only Western Illinois run of the game. She gave up just three more hits over the rest of the game while striking out three batters and walking one. Sophomore Charissa Carlin pitched in the seventh inning for her first save of the season.

Wray homered in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game. Two innings later, Stinson’s homer gave the Cyclones (22-11) the lead for good. The home run was the first of Stinson’s Cyclone career.

“Sara made some adjustments in her approach to the plate – she was a little bit too far back,” said assistant coach Crystal Turner. “We moved her up, and you can see that the results paid off.”

After sophomore Alex Johnson doubled to lead off the sixth inning, Beatty belted her third home run of the season to make the score 4-1.

In the second game, freshman Rachel Zabriskie shut down the Westerwinds for six innings to improve her record to 11-3. The win set a new ISU record for wins in a season by a freshman. Zabriskie struck out six and gave up only four hits in the game.

In the bottom of the second inning, sophomore Sydni Jones homered over the right-field fence to give the Cyclones the lead.

Western Illinois threatened to score in the top of the second, but after Julie DePolo tripled to lead off the inning and Michelle Prieto reached base on a bunt, stealing second afterward, Zabriskie struck out two of the next three batters to end the inning.

The Cyclones tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Western Illinois pitcher Lori Pankratz walked freshman Carleigh Berry and senior Kristy Olsen to begin the inning. After a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Kelsey Kidwell moved the runners over, Wray walked to load the bases for Johnson, who has already hit two grand slams this season. Johnson singled, allowing Berry to score. Olsen scored on a fielder’s choice to increase the lead to 3-1.

Carlin pitched the seventh inning to earn a second save for the day.

Western Illinois was playing after having to cancel their previous five games due to inclement weather. Both Samantha Valentine and DePolo had three hits each for Western Illinois. Valentine entered the game leading the conference with a .373 batting average.

After beginning the season with 3 games away from home, Cyclone players were happy to be playing on their own field.

“It’s nice, to finally play here in front of our fans, friends and family,” Wray said.

The Cyclones play another doubleheader tomorrow when they travel to Northern Iowa (7-11). Game times are 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.