Expect Thursday’s Drake-Iowa State softball game to be a classic rivalry game.

After defeating Western Illinois on Tuesday 5-4 to end an eight-game losing skid, the Cyclones meet the Bulldogs in an intrastate contest at Drake’s Buel Field with the first pitch is set for 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs have lost four straight games, including two to No. 7 Nebraska on Tuesday. The Cornhuskers outscored Drake 17-1 in the doubleheader, but in the fall season, the Bulldogs defeated the Cyclones 4-3. That causes concern for ISU head coach Ruth Crowe.

“They’re a solid team. I believe that Katie Shimon is their No. 1 pitcher,” Crowe said. “They really have some good hitters and their defense is pretty solid. They’re a confident group and they never give up.”

Senior pitcher/outfielder Erica Martinez said the team is looking forward to the contest with the Bulldogs, who are 14-13 this season.

“They’ll be pretty good. We can’t look down at all,” she said. “We’re going to try to beat them as good as we can.”

Crowe said if the Cyclones (11-17, 0-2 Big 12) are to beat the Bulldogs, they need to have everything clicking.

“We need to have good pitching and it all starts on the mound,” she said. “We need to sharpen up and be aggressive at the plate. We also need to make the routine plays to win.”

Last season, Iowa State defeated Drake 3-2 in Ames as senior third baseman Adi Blackmon went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored two runs to lift the Cyclones. Sophomore pitcher/ first baseman Lindsey Herrin also went 1-for-2 at the plate and knocked in two runs.

Senior pitcher Jen Bice started on the mound for Iowa State, giving up four hits and only one earned run in 4 1/3 innings of work. She tossed seven strikeouts and walked two batters. Martinez came in relief and earned the victory as she pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run — which came in the top of the seventh inning. She didn’t allow a walk and struck out two.

Against the Westerwinds, Herrin connected on a RBI double to left field to gave the Cyclones a 5-4 lead, a lead that they held up. Herrin provided a big offensive spark by hitting a home run and adding three RBIs. She also gained her first victory on the mound.

“We got some momentum right now and we’re confident on the field right now,” Martinez said. “Lindsey pitched a great game on Tuesday.”

Crowe said her team’s victory over the Westerwinds is a building block for her team.

“It was good for us to get back on the winning track,” she said. “We started our losing streak against Western Illinois and we beat them to end it. The win was good for us and we played a little better.”

Despite the win, Crowe and the rest of the Cyclones are concerned about the status of Martinez who Crowe said has tendinitis in her right arm. Martinez was to have a doctor’s appointment Wednesday to determine to the extent of her injury.

“We’re not sure of her status right now,” Crowe said. “She’s kind of like a Seneca Wallace as far as importance on our team. But we will proceed from there.”

After the game with Drake, Iowa State will host their home opener this weekend in a Big 12 conference doubleheader with Kansas.