The Iowa State (8-11) softball team certainly has had its moments this season.

At times, the Cyclones look like a well-oiled machine capable of putting 21 runs on the scoreboard. Other times, they make errors on routine plays.

The team is still learning to play together under first-year head coach Jamie Trachsel. But she believes consistency will come for the Cyclones.

“We’re learning,” Trachsel said. “It’s nothing we don’t know. As you work to be good or great, consistency is always a big challenge.”

Iowa State kicks off a busy spring break with a trip to Davis, California, for the UC-Davis Tournament. The Cyclones have matchups with Seton Hall, San Jose State, UC-Davis and two games with UMASS.

Since the beginning of the season, finding time to improve and create consistency has been hard for the Cyclones.

During tournament play, Iowa State has its traveling day on Thursdays. Games are played Friday through Sunday and the players are given Mondays off. That leaves just two days during the week for practice.

The Cyclones want to improve any chance they get. Whether it is during a game, after the game or at the hotel, Trachsel does not pass up an opportunity to teach.

“Our warmup [before games] is kind of like a practice,” senior Cathlin Bingham said.

Trachsel said they need to get all three phases of the game — hitting, pitching and defense — to play well at the same time.

The Cyclone offense had plenty of opportunity in game five of the Red Desert Classic against Utah State. While the defense played about as well as it could have, turning a single-game school record four double plays and committing no errors, the offense struggled. The Cyclones were held scoreless while stranding 11 runners on base.

“Coming up with that hit, or that quality at-bat when we have people in scoring position,” Trachsel said. “If you don’t score, you can’t win.”

Adding to the stress of a fast-paced softball season, it is also midterm season for the student-athletes. The Cyclones are getting through the week one day at a time.

The Cyclones kick off a 12-game road trip Friday that will take them from California to Florida.

“With midterm week and softball, especially with this 11 days coming up, you just have to take it one day at a time,” Bingham said. “Kind of like the game, you just take it one play at a time.”

First pitch against Seton Hall (8-5-1) is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m.

“Keep getting better, you’ve got to embrace the grind,” Trachsel said. “We’re not afraid of the work or challenges and we’ll keep getting better.”