The Iowa State baseball team suffered a major setback last weekend in the form of two losses to Missouri.

The Cyclones headed into Missouri needing to win some conference games in order to reach the Big Eight tournament, but instead came home after 7-0 and 6-5 losses to the Tigers.

Iowa State starter Ryan Seifert got off to a hot start, retiring the first nine batters he faced.

In the fourth inning, Missouri batted through the order and opened up a four-run lead.

The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth inning to make the score 6-0, and collected their final run in the seventh to make it 7-0.

The story for the Cyclones was one that has plagued them throughout the season, and that is leaving runners on base.

While ISU collected 11 hits in the game, it also left 11 men on base.

In the second game of the series, the Cyclones were able to score some points, but still struggled to generate some offensive production.

In the first inning, ISU took a 2-0 lead when Sammy Cox blasted a two run homer to left.

The Cyclones did not score again until the seventh inning.

Missouri tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth inning on a solo shot by Aaron Jaworowski.

The Tigers broke the tie in the fifth inning with two runs,and added one run in each of the sixth and seventh innings to make the score 6-2.

The Cyclones entered the ninth inning trailing by three runs, and started a rally against the Tigers.

Missouri walked the first three batters of the inning.

Iowa State right fielder Scott Vance scored on an infield single by Ryan Harmon. The score became 6-5 when Mike Bahun was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Cory Bohannon lined to shortstop for out number one. Tiger pitcher Steve Brewster then struck out Darrin DeReu for out number two.

With the bases loaded and two outs, ISU third baseman Sammy Cox came up to bat.

Cox grounded to third to end the inning, and with it the hopes of a comeback rally.

The Cyclones are currently in sixth place in the Big Eight standings, followed by Nebraska in seventh. Iowa State pitcher Jake Whitney, showed little concern about making the tournament bid.

“The only team we have to worry about is Nebraska,” Whitney said.

The top six teams in the Big Eight get to go to the Big Eight tournament, and the Cyclones only have to stay above Nebraska in order to make the tournament. Iowa State continues conference play to end the season, with four games against Big Eight foes.

The results of the last four games could make or break the team as far as tournament play.