Iowa State softball stumbled out of the gates at the Big 12 Tournament against Texas, and the Cyclones couldn’t dig themselves out of a four-run deficit after the first inning. 

Texas won the Big 12 Tournament opener, 7-0. In the first inning, the Longhorns jumped on the Cyclones with four hits and two Iowa State errors.

Down 4-0, Iowa State stranded its second runner on base in the top of the second inning. In the bottom of the second, Texas loaded the bases, but Iowa State pulled off a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Texas added another run off a solo home run from senior catcher Randal Leahy.

In the sixth inning, Iowa State’s Nychole Antillon reached second base, but the Cyclones failed to get her home. In the bottom half of the inning, Texas tacked on two more runs, pushing the lead to 7-0.

Iowa State failed to plate any runs in the seventh inning, ending the game.

The Cyclones will be back in action at 7:30 p.m. against No. 1 seed Oklahoma.

Iowa State has to win to advance to tomorrow’s portion of the Big 12 Tournament. With a loss to the Sooners, the Cyclones will be eliminated.