The Cyclone softball squad has been playing like a Charles Dickens’ novel lately. It’s been a tale of two teams in recent weeks as Iowa State seems to show up for one game and then falter in the next.

This weekend was no exception for ISU after coming away with series splits against Texas Tech and Baylor. ISU’s 4-0 win over Texas Tech marked the Cyclones’ first victory in conference competition. However, ISU was shutout 1-0 in the following game on only three hits.

“Our first conference win really didn’t mean anything after losing the second game,” head coach Ruth Crowe said. “We came back and played with no emotion or heart and just seemed satisfied to coast along.”

ISU used some heads up baserunning in the opening game to knock off the Red Raiders 4-0. Mandy Loushin went the distance for ISU, allowing only seven hits en route to the shutout.

“Mandy pitched really well today,” Crowe said. “Kim Hoover, Jessica Polo and Mandy Loushin were the only players that showed up today.”

Lisa Frank led off the Cyclone’s half of the first inning with a single and advanced to third on Polo’s bunt single. Frank eventually came around to score, but Polo was out at second to end the inning.

Neither team was able put any runs on the board until Erin Woods smacked a fourth inning double off the right field fence. Polo took one for the team on the ensuing pitch to put runners on first and second.

Lauren Cathey sacrificed both runners into scoring position, and Hoover reached on a fielder’s choice to plate Woods.

“Kim laid down an excellent suicide squeeze,” Crowe said. “She works very hard and has a good work ethic.”

With Amy Crittendon pinch running for Hoover, the Cyclones pulled off a double steal scoring Polo to give ISU a 3-0 lead. ISU would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to secure the win.

Cathey drew a one out walk and advanced to third on a Hoover single to the center field fence. The Cyclones’ final run came after a diving slide at the plate by Cathey that gave Michelle Junod an RBI after grounding out to third.

The second game of the doubleheader was a sight that Crowe had seen all too often. Offensively, the Cyclones were held to only three hits but could not capitalize on their opportunities.

Kristin Ferguson started the game on the mound and gave up a single run on five hits but was still tagged with the loss. Loushin pitched the final two innings, but the offense struggled as ISU dropped the game 1-0.

The Cyclones’ best chances at scoring came in the later stages of the game when Hoover led off the fifth with a triple down the right field line. Amy Crittendon pinch ran for Hoover but was easily gunned down at the plate on a ground ball to the shortstop.

ISU threatened again in the seventh and final inning after Polo singled and Cathey was hit by a pitch. Once again, Hoover came through in the clutch by sacrificing both runners into scoring position.

However, with only one out, ISU’s next two hitters failed to put the ball in play, and both struck out to end the game.

“Defensively, we played well, but if you don’t have your offense, you have to execute the little things,” Crowe said. “We didn’t have a lot of base runners in the second game and didn’t convert our opportunities.”

ISU’s lack of offensive pop seemed to carry over into Monday’s doubleheader against Baylor. The Bears came away with a 2-0 victory after holding ISU to only three hits in the first contest.

The Cyclones did bounce back in the second game to earn a series split and chalk up their second win in conference competition. ISU took an early two-run lead in the first inning and didn’t look back to garner a 3-1 win.

The Cyclones took advantage of four Bear errors and added a run on Junod’s RBI double to claim the victory. Woods, Frank and Cathey each contributed singles, while Ferguson went the distance on the mound for the win.

ISU is 2-8 in conference competition and will resume action on Wednesday when it travels to Missouri-Kansas City to face the Kangaroos.