The ISU softball team dropped all five of its games in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend, falling to 2-6 on the season. The Cyclones were outscored 66-8 in those five contests.

The Cyclones were defeated 9-1 by Minnesota (7-2) on Friday morning. Junior Tori Torrescano was roughed up on the mound by the Gophers, allowing six earned runs through 3 1/3 innings of work.

Gophers’ starter Sara Moulton pitched five complete innings and allowed just one earned run. Gopher shortstop Tyler Walker smashed a grand slam from the leadoff spot in the bottom of the fourth to push her team ahead to a 7-1 lead.

Illinois State (6-2) defeated the Cyclones 10-2 on Friday afternoon behind a strong pitching performance from Megan Warner. Warner pitched six innings while allowing just two runs.

ISU freshman pitcher Miranda Kemp started for the Cyclones, allowing four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings of work. Torrescano hit her third home run of the young season in the top of the fourth.

The Redbirds’ second baseman Kolby Hoffman recorded RBIs from the eighth spot in the batting order.

The Cyclones fell to rival Iowa (5-4) on Saturday afternoon 26-5. Iowa starter Kayla Massey pitched five innings for the Hawkeyes while allowing zero earned runs.

The middle of the order came up big for the Hawkeyes, as first baseman Katie Keim and catcher Liz Watkins combined for three home runs and 10 RBIs from the No. 4 and 5 spots in the order. Cyclone shortstop Lexi Slater went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a double from the leadoff spot.

The Cyclones faced reigning national champion Arizona State (9-2) on Saturday night. The Sun Devils prevailed 9-0 behind a dominant pitching performance by Mackenzie Popescue, who allowed just two hits and no runs in five innings of work.

ASU rightfielder Annie Lockwood went 1-for-2 with three RBIs. Both Cyclone hits came off the bat of left fielder Jorden Smith, who finished the game 2-for-2.

The weekend concluded with a rematch against Minnesota on Sunday morning. The Gophers emerged victorious once again, defeating the Cyclones 12-0.

The Gophers put Sara Moulton on the mound again and saw similar results as she pitched five shutout innings and struck out seven batters.

Madie Eckstrom hit two home runs and drove in four runs for the Gophers. Dalyn Varela and Jorden Smith both recorded multi-hit games for the Cyclones, but the team failed to push a run across the plate for the second consecutive game.