The one constant for the ISU softball team this season has been inconsistency.

The Cyclones struggles have shifted from one area of play to the next — one problem sparking just as another concern flames out. On April 22 against Omaha, it was the mound that proved the biggest issue. Iowa State was forced to make three pitching changes and had to use almost the entirety of its bullpen on the way to a 9-4 defeat.

The issues on the mound began when starting pitcher Stacy Roggentien couldn’t keep control of her pitches. She started with a strikeout and then proceeded to hit the next two batters.

She would be rocked by Maverick batters in the next two innings, surrendering a three-run and solo home run in the second and third, respectively. Roggentien allowed a fourth run and was yanked from the lineup after having thrown a complete game the previous day against Drake.

“She has definitely thrown a lot lately, but she’s thrown well,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “I just told her she wouldn’t always have her best stuff and that’s what happened today.”

The next few ISU pitchers all had similar issues. Brianna Weilbacher was brought in first and managed to last only one inning, in which she allowed two runs and walked four. She would be pulled in the fourth in favor of Katie Johnson.

The pattern continued throughout the game, with each pitcher allowing two or more runs except for the final hurler, Paris Imholz. While the pitching was the primary issue, the Cyclones couldn’t get the run support needed to surmount a comeback.

Iowa State could only manage eight hits against Omaha pitcher Jaylee Hinrichs, who was dealing early, striking out seven ISU batters and holding the Cyclones scoreless until the fourth inning. The Cyclones had multiple chances to make the comeback in later frames, the best opportunity presenting itself in the sixth, when they managed to score two runs on an Omaha error.

“We just needed better at bats,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “We weren’t swinging at pitches early in the count and started to get frustrated, which led to way too many strikeouts.”

Too little, too late proved to be the theme for the Cyclones. They had constant trouble getting runners into scoring position and when they did eventually threaten, they were unable to score.

“We just couldn’t execute our game plan,” said senior shortstop Lexi Slater. “We say it every inning — we want to attack and we just seemed hesitant today.”

Another unfortunate byproduct of the loss was a key injury. Junior designated player Aly Cappaert was hurt when she was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. She was replaced by Hailey Womack, who scored later that inning.

The Cyclones have a chance to bounce back April 24 to 26, when they get back into conference play against Baylor. The series in Waco, Texas will also be the final road test for the Cyclones this season.