The Iowa State Cyclones softball team went into the JoAnne Graf Classic Friday hoping to create some positive momentum to start the season.

That’s precisely what happened, as the Cyclones started the day strong with a 4-2 win over the University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans before losing 1-0 to the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles.

In Friday morning’s matchup against the Spartans, Iowa State fell behind 1-0 in the second inning.

Sydney Stites tied the game for the Cyclones in the top of the fourth inning with a home run.

The Spartans recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth. However, a three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth gave the Cyclones a 4-2 victory.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kaylee Bosworth hit a double which allowed Stites to score. Mikayla Ramos came off the bench to pinch hit for the Cyclones and hit an RBI single, and Bryn Hanrahan scored. Ramos would also score in the bottom of the sixth.

Pitcher Emma Hylen earned her first win on the mound on Friday.

Following the win against the Spartans, the Cyclones took on the defending national champions, and number one ranked Florida State Seminoles.

The game was a defensive battle throughout, as there were no runs scored until Sydney Sherrill hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Cyclones had a great scoring chance in the top of the third inning with the bases loaded and one out. However, the Seminoles were able to prevent the runners from scoring.

Sherrill’s home run was just enough to give the Seminoles a 1-0 win over the Cyclones.

The Cyclones will be back in action again on Saturday at 2 p.m. with a rematch against the Seminoles and at 4:30 p.m. against the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks.