The ISU softball team’s offense was firing on all cylinders before senior Ariel Coburn went down with a wrist injury. Since then, the Cyclones have seen their offensive production cut in half.

In 29 games with Coburn at third base, the Cyclone offense averaged 4.7 runs per game. In nine games without her, their output has fallen to 2.1 per game.

Coach Gary Hines agrees the team has struggled with Coburn out of the lineup, but also points to tougher competition as a cause of the slump.

“The offense has missed her, but the injury came at the same time as the start of Big 12 games,” he said. “In the last few games we’ve faced some of the toughest pitchers in the Big 12 conference; the schedule isn’t doing us any favors.”

A game after Coburn went down, the Cyclones opened their Big 12 season against then-No. 15 Baylor. Since her injury, Iowa State has gone 4-5 and depended heavily on strong pitching performances to stay in games. In the four wins during that period, Cyclone pitchers have allowed just six runs. In the five losses, opponents have scored 30 runs, too many for the offense to overcome.

Iowa State has a solid track record when scoring three or more runs per game, going 18-2 on the year. When they fail to score three runs, their record is only 4-7.

Coburn is listed as day-to-day, and has begun working toward a return.

“She’s been running, fielding and doing a little bit of bunting,” Hines said. “She’s doing whatever she can stand – from a pain standpoint – and she is available to pinch-run if we need her.”

Despite missing the past nine games, she still leads the team in hitting with .400 average, and her 20 runs batted still rank second on the team.

Coburn’s absence has directly altered the effectiveness of other hitters in the lineup. Coburn usually bats in the cleanup spot, serving as lineup protection for sophomore Alex Johnson. With Coburn batting behind her, Johnson was hitting .366 (26-71). Since Coburn’s injury, Johnson is hitting just .107 (3-28).

“It’s affected the lineup some, because now teams can pitch to Alex a little more carefully than they used to,” Hines said. “But [the recent slump] also has to do with the better pitching we’ve seen recently.”

Like Hines, Johnson is anxiously awaiting Coburn’s return.

“I miss her being out there, yeah, but not entirely for the protection in the lineup,” Johnson said. “I miss the depth that she brought to the lineup, being that she’s such a good hitter, and obviously her leadership on the field.”

Junior college transfer Jacquelyn Beatty has filled in admirably in Coburn’s absence, hitting .307 while playing exceptional defense.

“Jacquelyn has done an excellent job overall so far this year, especially in Big 12 games,” Hines said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with how she’s played defensively, and offensively she’s been up and down, but she’s gotten the job done. She’s the kind of player we thought she was when she came here, and it’s been great having her here.”

The Cyclones look to get on track Tuesday night against Iowa.