The Iowa State Softball team finished its fall season this past weekend by going 2-2 in the National Invitational Tournament.

This tournament was somewhat of a letdown, though, because the Cyclones brought a 7-1 record into the weekend and were fresh off an impressive tournament showing the weekend before.

Head coach Ruth Crowe attributed the losses to a lack of intensity.

“We came out flat and didn’t show a lot of intensity. This was a fairly disappointing tournament, especially after last weekend’s success.”

The Cyclones opened the weekend with a 1-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky. Kristen Ferguson pitched well but ISU totally lacked offensive punch.

Erin Woods, the only senior on the team, managed to go 2-for-3 for both of ISU’s hits. This minimal offensive showing may be the result of a young team that has had instant success and just expects to show up and win.

Iowa State’s bats came alive in the second game as they defeated Southern Illinois, 6-5, in nine innings. The Cyclones hit the ball better than the first game, but the defense committed some costly errors that allowed Southern Illinois to stay in the game.

Mandy Loushin and Tacy Riddle allowed five runs in their combined pitching efforts. The offense was lead by Kimi Yoshizawa, who was 2-for-4, and Michelle Junod provided the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth.

Iowa State came out flat the following day and allowed four runs in the first five innings en route to a 4-2 loss to Southwest Missouri.

“Our pitching was not as good as it was last weekend,” said Coach Crowe. “We allowed way too many home runs.”

The offense didn’t pick up until the seventh inning, but it was too little too late for ISU. Junod was 2-for-4, and freshman Kristin Shipley was a perfect 2-for-2.

The Cyclones did end the fall season on a positive note by defeating Southern Mississippi, 2-1. However, this victory was not enough to advance ISU out of its initial pool of teams.

“We came into the tournament thinking we might have a shot at winning it, and then we didn’t even advance out of our own pool,” commented Coach Crowe.

After allowing a home run in the second inning, the Cyclones came back to tie the game in the sixth and then win the game in the seventh inning.

Freshman Lauren Cathey was 2-for-4, and Cinnamon Gooding went 2-for-3. Michelle Junod continued to lead ISU by going 2-for-4.

“In the later part of the tourney, Michelle was definitely a leader for us,” said Coach Crowe.

The fall season has now ended, and the Cyclones will resume action again in February. This is a young team that has shown a lot of potential. Once they learn to correct their mistakes, ISU will be a successful and exciting team to watch.