DES MOINES — Growing pains are expected under a first-year head coach.

Coach Jamie Trachsel has the Cyclones improving as the season goes on, but the results just aren’t coming yet.

“We’re getting closer, and I don’t know if that’s what hurts more,” Trachsel said. “Losing is tough.”

Iowa State has lost its last 12 games and sits at 15-28 on the season. Looking for positives can be hard, but six of those losses came to No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 13 Baylor.

The Cyclones played some of their best softball of the season in the series finale against the Bears in their last outing but came up just short.

Iowa State had an opportunity to bounce back against Drake (20-19) Tuesday evening in Des Moines.

Brianna Weilbacher got the start at pitcher for the Cyclones. Weilbacher found herself in a hole to begin the game but got herself a huge bases-loaded strikeout to dig her way out of the inning without allowing a run.

For the second game in a row, it was the Cyclones who struck first. Sami Williams got things started for the Cyclones in the top of the third with a well-hit single. Kaila Konz placed a perfect bunt to move Williams over to second.

With runners on first and second, Nychole Antillon came to the plate and was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kelsey McFarland drilled a hard-hit ball to left center to bring home Williams and Konz to give the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.

Drake immediately found an answer in the bottom half of the inning to pull within one of the Cyclones.

An error from Iowa State in the fourth inning allowed the tying run to come home for the Bulldogs.

The Cyclones threatened in the fifth inning, placing runners on first and second base with just one out. Drake pulled off a double play to get out of the inning without allowing a run.

The Bulldogs added another run in the bottom of the fifth to take a one-run lead over the Cyclones.

Weilbacher would last 4.2 innings in the outing, registering five strikeouts and allowing four hits.

Weilbacher currently leads the Big 12 in strikeouts, having put away 144 batters this season.

Sophomore Emma Hylen came in to relieve Weilbacher on the mound. Hylen kept the Cyclones in the game, not allowing the Bulldogs to score for the rest of the game.

Iowa State would not be able to answer on offense, falling to Drake 3-2.

The Cyclones were close but were not able to turn the corner and get the win.