It could have been a come-from-behind conference victory for the ISU softball team.

But when it was all over, a couple of key Baylor hits led the Lady Bears to a 6-2 Big 12 conference win over the Cyclones on Sunday in Waco, Texas.

Baylor improved to 40-12 overall and 9-5 in the Big 12, and Iowa State fell to 11-26 (1-9). The teams were originally scheduled to play a doubleheader after rainy conditions forced Saturday’s game to be moved to Sunday, but poor field conditions canceled the first game of the twin bill.

Baylor struck the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third inning when Amber Daniel and Danielle Arnold hit back-to-back singles. Daniel and Arnold advanced to second and third, respectively, on a sacrifice from Harmony Schwethelm.

Then Carrie Leerberg ripped a 1-2 pitch from Cyclone starter Alyssa Ransom into center field, scoring Daniel and Arnold.

The Cyclones answered back in the top of the fifth inning when Iowa State got on the board with Julia Lindsey hitting a single to right field, scoring pinch-runner Ashley Core from third.

However, Baylor would put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth inning with a four-run outburst. The big blow in the inning was a Kelly Osburn three-run homer on the first pitch she saw.

The Cyclones’ final run came in the top of the seventh as Lindsey hit a sacrifice fly, scoring pinch-runner Katie Reichling. With runners on second and third, Iowa State wasn’t able to produce any more runs.

Leerberg, Osburn and Wilmoth each went 2-for-3 at the plate. Baylor starting pitcher Cristin Vitek improved to 25-6 on the year, pitching 6 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out five batters. Katie Decker recorded the save.

For Iowa State, Kelly Wardein hit 2-for-3. Ransom allowed eight hits and had one strikeout. Ransom fell to 8-15 on the season.

“We played really well against them,” Wardein said. “We hit the ball, but we hit it right at them. It’s always been one inning for us. It was a home run that hurt us.”