The Iowa State Softball team continued their winning ways by going 3-1 this past weekend at the Iowa Softball Tournament.

This pushes the Cyclones record to an impressive 7-1 after winning their first four games in their home tournament.

Iowa State got off to a slow start in their first game against Iowa and dropped a 1-0 decision. The Cyclones out-hit the Hawkeyes but couldn’t manage to push a run across the plate.

Junior pitcher Mandy Loushin threw an excellent game, allowing only four hits and one earned run. Offensively, ISU was lead by junior Lisa Frank who continued her phenomenal hitting by going 2-4.

“It was a very well-played game,” Head Coach Ruth Crowe said. “I was pleased with our performance against Iowa.”

The Cyclones were putting the ball in play and getting runners on base, but couldn’t muster any runs. This was still a fairly good result, considering Iowa usually finishes first or second in the Big 10 every year.

In their second game, ISU took on another excellent Big 10 team in Northwestern. The Cyclones scored in the first and second innings and were able to hang on for a 2-1 victory.

Freshman Kristin Shipley went 2-for-4 and junior Michelle Junod was 2-for-3 to lead the Cyclone attack. Kristin Ferguson took care of the pitching duties and allowed only one earned run on five hits.

Iowa State followed up that win with a 4-0 victory over Wisconsin. Loushin pitched an outstanding game by tossing a two-hit shutout.

Once again, Frank lead the offense by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Sophomore Kimi Yoshizawa started the scoring by hitting a triple that drove in Jessica Polo for ISU’s first run.

Polo was 2-for-3 in the game with a stolen base and Cinnamon Gooding went 2-for-4. Freshmen Lauren Cathey contributed with an RBI single and Erin Woods also knocked in a run.

The final game of the tournament pitted the Cyclones against the Hawks once again. Iowa State got sweet revenge by defeating Iowa 2-1, which made both teams’ records 3-1 for the weekend.

Tacy Riddle pitched an outstanding game by allowing only three hits and one earned run. Iowa’s lone run came in the fourth inning on a solo home run, which was the first score of the game.

The Cyclones battled back in the bottom of the sixth, though. Cathey hit a single and advanced to third on consecutive bunts. Frank laid down the first and reached base and then advanced to second on the following bunt.

Both runners scored on a clutch two-out single by Gooding with Frank scoring on a close play at the plate. Riddle closed out the seventh by putting down the Hawks 1-2-3 in a game that provided plenty of late-inning drama.

“The pitching is much better and the defense is clicking,” commented Coach Crowe, comparing this to last week’s games.

Robyn Riedler, along with Polo and Cathey, collected hits while Gooding’s single produced two RBIs.

Iowa State is on a high note as they head into Moline, Illinois for the National Invitational Tournament. This tournament features Big 12 Conference powerhouses Missouri and Oklahoma State as well as Iowa, Drake and Northern Iowa.

“I expect great things this weekend and next spring,” said Coach Crowe, “It would be nice to finish well because it helps to establish our program.”

One advantage the Cyclones have this year is game experience. They will head into their final games this fall with two tournaments under their belt. Another advantage this year has been their depth.

“We have players coming off the bench and contributing,” said Coach Crowe. “This season we have a real good team mindset.”

Coach Crowe also mentioned that the sport as a whole has improved as of late and there are no “gimme” games.

“All around the country there are more kids playing softball. This really helps for recruiting which makes all the teams stronger.”

The Cyclones will play Eastern Kentucky at 5 p.m. on Friday and then follow it up with a game against Southern Illinois.