Members of the ISU softball team have been pushing one another to get better during practices this week in order to end a losing streak and capture their first tournament title.

“I think we definitely have to get our act together and start playing better,” freshman catcher Ashley Killeen said.

The Cyclones, who are 2-10 on the season, travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to compete in the 2004 Southeast Classic on Saturday and Sunday.

Last weekend, the team was in Louisville, Ky., for the Courtyard Marriott Classic tournament and came out with a 0-3 record.

“I think our focus will be a lot better [than at Louisville],” junior outfielder Heather McLatchie said. “We’ve been working on hitting more aggressively at the plate.”

Iowa State begins a long day of play at noon Saturday taking on Southwest Missouri State, which currently has a record of 9-8.

Killeen said the Bears probably will be one of the toughest teams to compete against at this tournament.

Right after the Cyclones match up against the Bears, they will turn around and play Southeast Missouri State, host of the tournament, at 2 p.m. Southeast Missouri State has an overall record of 1-3.

At 4 p.m. Iowa State takes on Indiana State, a team with a 10-7 season record.

The Sycamores have beaten Valparaiso, which is also featured in the tournament, twice this season and have won four of their last five games.

The Cyclones will finish up the tournament on Sunday playing Valparaiso at 10 a.m. and Bradley at noon. Valparaiso has a record of 2-3, and Bradley’s overall record is 5-8.

Killeen said in order for the Cyclones to get some wins this weekend, the team needs to have consistency on offense, and its defense needs to continue improving.