After capping its Spring Break with a promising four-game winning streak, the ISU softball team now steps onto cutthroat ground: Big 12 competition.

The conference boasts six teams ranked in the top 25, the most in any conference. Despite the intimidation factor, Iowa State seeks the chance to overcome the odds, opening Big 12 play in Norman this weekend against No. 9 Oklahoma.

The Cyclones surge into the contest hot on the heels of a streak that has added life to their 9-13 season. Despite the 4-3 record during Spring Break, the team is not satisfied.

“We were a little disappointed with our games; we should’ve done better. There were teams that beat us that shouldn’t have, but we were pretty pleased with winning four straight,” said senior Amber Wood.

ISU coach Ruth Crowe agreed the team could have come away with a more desirable record.

“Our biggest problem is that we start slowly and have trouble finishing strong. We were happy with our results, but we continually dig ourselves in a hole and have to work to get out,” she said. “I think that’s the experience factor, and we have to take the field ready to go. We have to lose that tournament mentality for the Big 12.”

Oklahoma will be Iowa State’s first test of that mindset in this weekend’s doubleheader, boasting a 31-5 season record. The Sooners’ most recent loss came against No. 1 Arizona, but the defeat hasn’t deterred their winning ways.

“Oklahoma is very good, and that shows since they were picked to finish second in the conference,” Crowe said. “They have everything: Team speed, good pitching, defense, offense, a great catcher.”

The squad is batting a collective .353, which is second in the conference, and Kristin Vesely leads the Big 12 in hits, runs scored and total bases.

“The Big 12 will be the biggest test for us, going against the best competition in the country,” Crowe said. “We’ve split with Oklahoma the past two years using the same elements, but we really have to bring our A game into this series. We can’t afford to show up and go through the motions.”

Oklahoma recently saw all four of its seniors drafted into the Ladies Pro Fastpitch Association Tour, including the No. 2 pick, pitcher Kami Keiter. All four have a chance to play for the organization at the completion of their collegiate careers.

Last year’s series between the teams started with a 6-1 rout by Oklahoma, but ended with a surprise 2-1 upset by the Cyclones over the then-No. 20 Sooners. Misty Kimura helped the team prevail with her seventh home run of the season, which pushed Iowa State ahead for good. Alyssa Ransom had a memorable day on the mound, giving up only five hits while striking out eight.

Though the team has incredible challenges looming for the season, Wood said her team hopes to bring surprises to the Big 12.

“A lot of teams won’t expect anything special, but we want to compete and make them look at us as competition,” she said. “We’re ready to go and knock some teams off, and hopefully end up in the middle of the conference.”