The ISU softball team heads to Lubbock, Texas, this weekend to take on Texas Tech. This will be the second series of the Big 12 schedule for the Cyclones (10-19, 0-3 Big 12), who were swept by Texas in Ames this past weekend to open the conference season.

The Cyclones were outscored 26-9 in the Texas series and have started the conference season 0-3 for the first time since 2007. They were shut out by Northern Iowa 8-0 on Tuesday, followed by a 1-0 shutout victory of their own over Drake on Wednesday.

The Red Raiders (27-7, 0-2 Big 12) lead the all-time series against Iowa State 20-14, including a two-game sweep of the Cyclones in Ames last season. TTU put up a total of 31 runs in last season’s series and are third in the Big 12 this season with 190 runs scored.

“I think anytime you play anybody in the Big 12 they have the capability of putting up a lot of runs,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “I think that they’ve done a good job the last couple years.”

Red Raiders junior catcher Adriana Perez is one of the top offensive threats in the conference. She leads the Big 12 in hits with 41, total bases with 79, ranks second in home runs with 11 and third in RBIs with 34. The Cyclones will have to devise a strategic plan in the pitcher’s circle to keep Perez’s bat from catching fire.

TTU freshman pitcher Cara Custer has won 15 games this season and has already established herself as one of the top hurlers in the Big 12. 11 of those 15 wins have been complete game efforts, five of which have come in shutout fashion.

Although Texas Tech boasts an array of impressive statistics and accolades this season, the Cyclones know that focusing on their own game will give them the best chance to win.

“No matter who we’re playing, we have to do the things that are going to make us successful,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said and not worry about the things that we can’t control.”

Iowa State currently lies at eighth in the conference in team batting with a .254 average and ninth in team pitching with a 7.34 ERA, 4.72 behind eighth-ranked Texas A&M. In order for the Cyclones to begin improving on these marks, fundamentals are going to be key.

“Keeping the ball down is great. Having good quality at bats is great,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “Those are the things that you want to focus on to give yourself a chance in the end.”

This weekend’s games are slated for 6 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and noon Sunday.