Using the long ball to score runs, the Cyclone baseball team defeated the Grand View Vikings, 6-4, Thursday at Cap Timm Field. The ISU offense belted three home runs in the game to account for five of its six runs. The win brings the Cyclones’ record to 18-23 on the season.

“A win’s a win. I’m not saying we were the sharpest today, but I don’t believe we had any errors. We did enough to win and I was pleased with that,” Head Coach Lyle Smith said.

Holding the Vikings scoreless through the fifth inning, ISU was able to take a four-run lead. The Cyclones threatened in the first with a bases-loaded situation, but were unable to come away wih a run. The offense rebounded and put up three in the bottom of the third.

Senior Mike Bahun led off the inning with a single and immediately stole second base, his team- leading, 24th steal of the year. A walk to senior Clark Jones set the table for senior Guye Senjem, who belted his eighth home run of the season over the right field fence for a 3-0 lead.

Behind sound defensive play and a solid Cyclone pitching staff, the Vikings were held scoreless through the fifth inning.

Grand View’s only threat came in the fourth when they had two runners reach second base.

After a scoreless fourth, the Cyclones were able to plate a run in the fifth as junior Shawn Leimbek drove an opposite field home run to right. The shot was Leimbek’s fourth of the year, extending the lead to four runs.

Grand View responded in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs of their own. A lead-off walk started the inning for the Vikings. Grand View’s Brandon Ray then drove a home run to right field, followed by a solo shot by Matt Shafer to cut the ISU lead to 4-3.

The Cyclones kept their composure and responded with a two-run seventh to once again establish a comfortable lead. Jones drove a long shot to right center field for a triple to get things started for ISU. Senjem had a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Jones. Junior Bill Uelmen then came to the plate and launched his ninth home run of the year over the right field fence.

“We gave up the three runs and all of a sudden it’s a game. I was pleased that we responded, we did what we had to do with that type of pitcher and not try to pull it and take it to right field,” Smith said

The Vikings were able to plate a run in the top of the eighth on a solo shot by Bo Barrus, but that was all Grand View would get as the Cyclones shut the door in the ninth and held on for the win.

“I don’t care who you’re playing, this yard this spring has been jumping, it’s been a launching pad. We got some home runs and that was good, we need to keep swinging the bats but we could have swung them a little bit better,” Smith said.

Using five different pitchers, ISU was able to hold Grand View to only five hits in the game.

Sophomore Brad Waldron got the win, pitching three innings, giving up only one hit while striking out two and walking two.

The win improves Waldron’s record to 2-0. Junior Steve Larkin entered the game in the eighth and was able to record his fourth save of the year.

Leading the way at the plate was Leimbek, who went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Uelmen also went 2-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored.

Bahun also had a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Bahun scored one run and recorded a stolen base.

“We got some of our guys tuned up for the Kansas State series which is important because we need to play very well down there because it’s a tough place to play. They have lost ten in row so they’re trying to turn their season around,” Smith said.

The Cyclones next travel to Manhattan, KS for a three-game series with Kansas State before returning home to play Winona State on April 29.