The Iowa State softball team was eliminated from the Big 12 Tournament over the weekend, but not before opening some eyes.

In the first round, ISU sophomore pitcher Mandy Loushin tossed a no-hitter in the Cyclones’ 2-0 win. She struck out 10 and walked one while blanking the Missouri Tigers. Her first seven-inning no-hitter in a Cyclone uniform could not have come at a better time.

“It was cool,” she said. “Our team played real well.”

Catcher Erin Woods knocked in both ISU runs with a base hit in the third inning. Designated hitter Cinnamon Gooding added a pair of singles for the Cyclones.

ISU, seeded eighth, played well enough to gain respect from the Big 12’s elite teams on Friday as well.

The victory over the Tigers set up a second-round battle with top-seeded Nebraska. The two teams combined for only six hits and one run on the afternoon. Unfortunately for ISU, the Huskers tallied the lone score.

Loushin again tossed well for the Cyclones, allowing no earned runs on three hits. The three strikeouts she recorded moved her season total to 164, placing her fourth on the school list.

The loss to Nebraska set up a showdown with fourth-seeded Texas Tech for the right to stay in the double-elimination tournament.

Once again, ISU couldn’t get the bats going, mustering just one run. The Lady Raiders pushed three runners past the plate to post the victory.

Kristin Ferguson got the nod on the hill for the Cyclones, but the freshman was unable to escape the first inning. She surrendered two runs on three hits to the first three Lady Raiders.

Knowing the team was on the brink of elimination, Loushin came out of the bullpen to shut down Texas Tech. She allowed just one run over the final seven innings, but the offensive production was not there.

The low-scoring, tight games typified the final month of the ISU season and Loushin said the close tourney losses were disappointing to the young squad.

“I think we could have won both games,” she said. “We were hitting the ball, just not getting hits.”

She said the lack of hits did not add pressure to her right arm.

“I go out there to do my job no matter what,” she said. “I’ll just get the job done.”

Loushin got the job done 10 times on the season, while losing 15 contests. Overall, the Cyclones finished the year with a 16-16 record.