The softball team last tournament left a bad taste in their mouth. I talk to the team after there trip from Florida, and I ask Assistant Coach Courtney Martinez and Senior Sami Williams. What they needed to find to get some wins in South Carolina, and both said the same thing just wanted to get mentally focused again going into South Carolina this weekend.

So on the opening day of the Gamecocks Invitational, the Cyclones open with a rout to Elon in five-inning 10-0, The Cyclones didn’t waste any time taking advance of scoring in the first two innings with seven base bases runs making 7-0 in the 2nd inning.

Then scoring three more to finish the game and Freshman pitcher Janessa Jasso had an excellent performance allowing one hit and seven strikeouts to Elon.

The Saturday stale for the cyclones would test them how active the Cyclones are against two top 25 teams in #8 Michigan and #22 South Carolina.

The first Saturday game against the #8 Michigan Wolverines could’ve been a tough matchup for the cyclones.

The Cyclone got the broad first with a solo home run form Senior Sami Williams making an early 1-0 lead for the cyclones it was scoreless until Michigan tie the game in the 5th inning with a single up the middle to advance a runner to home now the score is 1-1.

The game still tied into the 7th inning with runners on third and second Base Freshman Ellie step up to the plate with a 2-2 count. She hit the ball to the left-field, which would send Nelson and Ranchos home making the score 3-1 once again. Williams got a base hit to get two more runners to increase the lead to 5-1 in the top of the 7th Innings. Freshman Ellie started strong pitching today now had to finish the job and put away the #8 team in the country.

Ellie and the Cyclones finish the job with a great team win over a top 10 team making the final score 5-1. The Cyclones win over No. 8 Michigan was the second victory over a top-10 opponent in as many tries (vs. No. 8 Texas – May 10, 2019). Before that, Iowa State had not defeated a top-10 team since March 9, 2013.

after an emotional win over, the Wolverines had to play again later that night against another top 25 teams in South Carolina. The Cyclone was held scoreless in the first five innings and was down significantly to the Gamecocks.

But the Cyclone didn’t give up with runners on first and seconds base Williams homer to make the score 5-3 in the 6th innings. The cyclones had one more shot in the 7th innings to either win the game or tie the game, but the gamecocks put a hold on the cyclones offense in the final inning.

The final game at Gamecocks Invitational was against Boston College.

It was a back and forth game with ISU and B.C., ISU got up early and then B.C. answer back and tie the 2-2 in the 3rd. But took back the lead within the 5th and inning making it 4-2 but Boston College answer back also in the 6th now making the score 4-4. The offense was clicking against Boston college. Give credit to Boston College; they kept fighting and answering back.

The Cyclones were up to bat Schaben got a base hit got to first base then Schaben stole second base than with a Ranches sacrifice bunt which got Schaben to advance her to 3rd base. And in scoring opportunity, Ramos got a hit up the middle, which would allow Schaben score and made the final score 5-4 in 7th innings.

An excellent weekend for the softball team as they now head to Atlanta, Georgia, for I-75 Challenge.

Should method that Senior Sami Williams before Michigan game tied for the school record for most home runs in ISU history heading into Saturday’s games. She was one home run away from breaking the record; Williams then smashed it on Saturday against the Wolverines, surpassing the previous school record of 42 set by Cyclone great Tori Torrescano (2010-13).