DES MOINES — The ISU softball team defeated Northern Iowa, 6-2, in the opening game of the Iowa Big 4 Tournament in Des Moines on Saturday.

Junior pitcher Tori Torrescano got the start for the Cyclones, giving up two runs on five hits in six innings of work.

The score was 0-0 until the bottom of the fourth when the Cyclones exploded for six runs.

The Cyclones had 12 at-bats in the fourth inning, aided by a couple costly Panther errors and two passed balls that brought runs to the plate.

ISU hitters Sara Rice, Dalyn Varela, Erica Miller and Jorden Smith all registered RBI in the inning.

The Panthers scored their two runs in the top of the sixth inning off a Hannah Borschel two-run home run to left field.

The Cyclones will play the Iowa Hawkeyes at 2:30 p.m. for their final game of the day in Des Moines.