During a wet and gloomy game, inconsistency doomed the Cyclones as they took on the Missouri Valley Conference leading Drake Bulldogs at the Cyclone Sports Complex.

The Cyclones dropped the game against the Bulldogs by a final score of 6-3 as poor pitching set them back early.

Starting pitcher, sophomore Katie Johnson, had a rough outing as she only pitched 1 1/3 innings. In that time span, she walked four Drake batters and allowed four runs. After the fourth run, the ISU coaching staff decided to replace Johnson with senior Stacy Roggentien.

“Katie was just a little inconsistent,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “She has the ability to get out most jams, but today it just was not there.”

In the beginning, there was no change as Roggentien walked two Drake hitters and allowed Drake to score on a wild pitch in the third inning.

Though in the fourth inning and beyond, the pitching greatly improved. Between the fourth and seventh innings, Roggentien allowed one more run but was able to retire 10 Drake sluggers to achieve a personal record.

“I thought Stacy [Roggentien] came in, got some strikeouts and did well,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.

The inconsistent pitching was not the only aspect of the game that doomed the Cyclones, as there was virtually no offense produced during Iowa State’s trips to the plate.

Iowa State only mustered up seven hits compared to Drake’s nine. With those seven hits, the Cyclones only put up three runs.

“We have a saying that we should have the same amount of runs as we do hits,” said junior Aly Cappaert.

Cappaert finished with two hits and one RBI.

Iowa State failing to capitalize on big time opportunities hurt the Cyclones chances for a win. The team was particularly bad when the opportunity for offense was greatest, finishing 1-3 with the bases loaded.

“Drake changed pitchers and I felt great,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “Especially when Lexi Slater and Maddie Reese are both in the box, but unfortunately they did not come through and they won’t always come through.”

The Cyclones look to snap their four-game losing streak when they return to the diamond at 4 p.m. Friday to take on Big 12 foe, Oklahoma State.