The bats finally broke loose for the ISU baseball team Tuesday as the Cyclones erupted for an 11-run sixth inning to crush arch-rival Iowa 15-1 at Cap Timm Field in Ames.

The ISU offense totaled 16 hits, including five doubles and two homers, as the Cyclones improved to 10-24 on the season and avenged a 16-3 setback to the Hawkeyes last week in Iowa City.

“Any win against these guys is good, but it’s better to pound them because they kicked our ass down there,” Cyclone shortstop Rob Conway said. “It’s the first time we’ve really ever beat someone like this, and it gives us some good memories we can recall later if we get in a slump.”

The sixth inning saw Iowa State break open a 1-1 pitchers duel between Cyclone hurler Dave Rossman and Hawkeye pitcher Matt Gruber with patient and timely hitting. Iowa State sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning, totaling 9 hits, two walks and two stolen bases.

Conway and ISU catcher Ryan Wickham had two hits apiece in the inning as the Cyclones forced two Hawk pitching changes. Conway delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to cap the scoring and seal Iowa’s fate.

“It all started with Joe Ferin working the lead off walk,” Conway said. “Good at bats are contagious and everything started falling for us. The home run was just the topper and it felt really nice.”

Iowa State added another run in the seventh followed by two more in the eighth to match its season high run total set in the opening weekend against Air Force.

Conway, Wickham, Ben Van Iderstine and Joe Urban each tallied three hits for the game in aiding the Cyclones. Conway and Wickham drove in four and three runs respectively for Iowa State, while Urban, Van Iderstine and Aaron Runk knocked in two apiece.

A strong effort on the mound by Rossman also gave Iowa State plenty to cheer about as he tossed a complete game, surrendering one unearned run on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

“I’ve had some arm problems, [but] when you’re pitching well you don’t feel it,” Rossman said. “When you get runs on the board from your teammates you get a lot more confidence out there.”

Cyclone head coach Lyle Smith said the win over Iowa should give his team a lot of momentum as they prepare for a home game with Minnesota today at 3 p.m.

“This was a great confidence booster,” Smith said. “We had a lot to feel good about.”