The Cyclone softball team is preparing to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders this weekend in Ames.

“We need to come back and just play much more like we played on Tuesday. Texas Tech is a good team with a lot of wins,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “With anyone in the Big 12 from here on out, we’re going to be in the same boat. It’s important that we come on Friday and have a good practice and we get ready to play.”

Texas Tech feasted on a weak, non-conference schedule, getting off to a 35-1 start that included playing 25-straight games in the comforts of home at Rocky Johnson Field in Lubbock, Texas.

Since starting Big 12 play, the Red Raiders are 1-5, with their only win coming over Oklahoma.

Saturday’s game in Ames will be Texas Tech’s first true road game of the season, as all their games have been played either at home or neutral sites.

“The big thing is that any time you get off to a 35-1 start before you enter Big 12 play, you will have a ton of confidence, and you always play better when you feel confident,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “They’ve had some pretty good wins, and I think they’re tough.”

Junior college transfer Cydney Allen leads a powerful Red Raider offensive attack with a .437 batting average and 11 home runs.

The Red Raiders have hit 47 home runs so far this season and have a team batting average of .368.

Texas Tech also has a deep pitching rotation led by freshman Brittany Talley (11-3) and junior Kelsey Dennis (11-2), while freshman Kermitria Ward (5-1) has picked up three saves while compiling an ERA of 1.62.

“Everybody can hit in the Big 12, so we need to be ready for that and be able to hold our own on offense and on defense and not make our pitchers do everything,” said Cyclone third baseman Dalyn Varela. “In the Big 12, anybody can beat anybody on any day. We know that because we beat Oklahoma State.”

The first game will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Southwest Athletic Complex in Ames. The second game will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at the same location.