The ISU softball team dropped a 6-3 decision to Western Illinois at McKee Stadium in Macomb, Ill. Tuesday.

The Westerwinds, now 11-11 on the season, scored two runs each in the second and third innings to take control of the game. The Westerwinds added two more insurance runs in the fifth.

In the second inning, the Westerwinds got back-to-back RBI singles by Tammy Howard and Dani Hoffman.

Katie Pickers provided the big bat for the Westerwind lineup, finishing 2 for 3 with three runs driven in. Pickens drove in two runs in the third inning with a single down the left field line.

Jen Tyrell added two hits as the Westerwinds racked up 10 hits as a team, eight coming off losing Cyclone pitcher Jen Bice.

Kristin Ferguson relieved Bice in the fifth inning and shut the Leathernecks out the rest of the way. Ferguson gave up two hits and struck out one batter.

The Cyclones scored all three of their runs in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Kristen Shipley drove in two runs with a double and then scored on an RBI single by centerfielder Adi Blackmon. Blackmon led the Cyclones with three hits.

The Cyclone offense couldn’t find a weakness in Westerwind pitcher Lindsay Tasker. Tasker pitched her fourth complete game of the season, striking out three while walking none.

The Cyclones fall to 9-14 and will be back in action this weekend hosting Oklahoma. The Cyclones home opener was scheduled to be today against Northern Iowa but the field conditions aren’t up to par.