The Iowa State softball team is set to prepare for its upcoming season with an octet of contests, highlighted by three home contests at the Cyclone Sports Complex and participation in the annual Big Four Classic, the program announced Wednesday.
The three-week schedule has varied game formats against both local and regional opponents.
Action begins at home on Sept. 20 when the Cyclones host NIACC at 2 p.m. The home stand continues with matchups against DMACC on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. and Kirkwood on Oct.
2 at 3:30 p.m.
To maximize playing time for the roster, all three games against junior college programs are scheduled for 10 innings, though they may be shortened if daylight becomes an issue.
Fans looking to catch the Cyclones in Ames can do so free of charge for all three home dates.
Iowa State will see its first road action on Oct. 4 in Minneapolis, where they are scheduled for a doubleheader against Minnesota and North Dakota State. Unlike the extended matchups with ICCAC programs, these two contests will follow a standard seven-inning format.
The fall season concludes with the Big Four Classic, a regional showcase hosted this year by the University of Iowa. The tournament begins for the Cyclones on Oct. 9 with a trip to Des Moines to face Drake at 4 p.m.
The team then travels to Iowa City for a high-profile matchup against the Hawkeyes on Oct. 10 at noon, before finishing the weekend against UNI on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. Each of the Big Four Classic games will consist of nine innings.
