Iowa State experienced two very different results tonight as they split the first day of the 2016 Black and Orange Challenge in Macon, Georgia.

Iowa State blew past Fordham (6-11, 0-0 Atlantic 10) 11-3 in its first game of the day as designated hitter Aly Cappaert jumpstarted the offense with a three-run home run in the first inning.

The Cyclones however weren’t able to pull it together against Mercer (4-14, 0-0 Southern) as they fall 9-3.

The Cyclones left eight runners on base against Mercer as they were unable to generate runs throughout the game until the sixth inning when an attempt at a comeback put Iowa State within three of Mercer 6-3. But, Mercer put the nail in the coffin at the bottom of the sixth with three more runs.

Iowa State’s pitching started off the day with a solid showing as freshman duo Emma Hylen and Savannah Sanders combined for only five allowed hits. Hylen who came in as relief earned her fifth win of the season.

In game two, Iowa State couldn’t find an answer on the mound as Coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler called up five separate pitchers. The pitching staff allowed seven hits, walked eight batters and gave up three homeruns.

The Cyclones are set to play Boston College (9-8, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) tomorrow at 9 a.m.