It’s funny how things work. I’ve always been a big baseball fan but had never been to an ISU baseball game.

What I knew of the baseball team stemmed from what little tidbits I’d picked up in the news room and from the two players who probably don’t even remember meeting me at a party last fall.

As I headed out to watch the Nebraska series, which might very well may be the last homestand ever for the Cyclones, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Here it was, the last games at Cap Timm Field and at least one win was needed against one of the top teams in the nation to secure a bid to the Big 12 tournament.

When I arrived, the atmosphere surprised me.

Signs reading “Beat the Huskers” and “Be Ready Big 12” graced the top of the bleachers.

Little boys and girls, clutching baseball mitts in their hands, waited patiently for a foul ball to be hit their way while their parents sat back and watched America’s pastime.

Fans stood and cheered whenever something positive happened for the Cyclones.

Here’s a program that has been given the ax, and players and fans are acting as if they were playing in the College World Series. It was not only surprising to see, but it was inspiring.

Lyle Smith and his players played the end of the season knowing that there wouldn’t be a program next year, and what did they do?

They kept on playing and kept on winning all the way to the Big 12 tournament.

Going into the tournament in Oklahoma City, Iowa State was the team nobody wanted to play.

They weren’t only trying to win the tournament, they were fighting for their baseball lives.

They went in as the last seed, came up with an upset and impressed some people in the process.

Upsets happen a lot in baseball, but the way this one occurred had an almost fairy tale-type ending.

Down by two going into the final inning, the Cyclones mustered up three runs to earn the win and the chance to play another day. Smith, the players and fans all believed it could be done, and they never gave up.

They need to be commended for not only what they accomplished this season but also for showing up and playing hard everyday.

They showed that they were upset by the decision to cut the program, but they did so with dignity.

I want to wish good luck to Smith, his coaching staff, the players and everyone associated with Iowa State baseball.

As one Nebraska fan said to me two weekends ago, “It’s hard not to cheer for Iowa State.”

Emily Arthur is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Clark, S.D.