The re-energized ISU softball team is preparing for a home doubleheader against Green Bay after a productive series against Baylor. The Cyclones were able to get their first victory against the Bears since 2011, and their first win against a ranked opponent since 2013.

The Cyclones were in a skid entering the weekend, winning two of their previous eight games. They managed to win one of two games against Baylor in Waco, Texas, pulling off a feat the team hadn’t accomplished in five years.

“It was the first time we’d beaten Baylor in my whole time here and the team was really happy to come away with a win,” said senior shortstop Lexi Slater.

The Cyclones will try to carry their newfound momentum into their upcoming clash with the Phoenix. They finally managed to crack the .500 mark and want to continue to increase their winning percentage in upcoming games.

The Phoenix will prove to be a challenge, although their record may not reflect it. They are a mere 16-22, and 8-9 in the Horizon League. The Phoenix have been a middle-of-the-road team for most of the season, but have played some quality opponents. They are 1-2 against the state of Iowa, splitting with Northern Iowa and losing to Iowa. The team has also competed against Wisconsin.

The Cyclones will have one helpful advantage for the rest of the season, and that is the familiarity of the Cyclone Sports Complex. They will play their final eight games at home, which gives them a more regular practice schedule and time to rest between games, instead of hopping on a bus or a plane to go play across the country.

“I think it’s really nice. Anytime you’re at home with our great fans and this recent weather, it’s really going to help us to play well,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler.

While the loyal support of ISU fans is always a plus, home field advantage can also lend the Cyclones some in-game help.

“We know our field better than anyone else and our infield is one of the toughest infields to play on,” Slater said. “Our dirt is really unique and reacts with our weather, so opposing players don’t know how it’s going to bounce. It makes them become hesitant and allows us to attack.”

With the infield feeling comfortable, ISU pitchers can worry more on what they have to do. The pitching rotation has seen a lot of change recently in accordance with Gemeinhardt-Cesler’s new plan to pitch whoever has the hot hand.

“We want to put whoever is doing well out on the mound, but we know if someone starts to walk a lot of batters or give up some hits that we have someone we can put in to help the situation,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.

The Cyclones will start their final home stretch at 1 p.m. April 29 against the Phoenix. Game two of the doubleheader will begin immediately following the first, with a projected start time of 3 p.m.