The ISU softball team is gearing up for a rematch with in-state rival Drake. The Cyclones will try to correct a recent three-game losing streak they accumulated in Austin, Texas, where they were swept by the Longhorns.

The Cyclones have struggled offensively in their recent games, scoring only an average of 2.8 runs per game during their last seven outings. This shortage of run support has left ISU pitchers alone on the mound.

“We really want to get our pitching and hitting to start coming together,” said ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “We haven’t had a game in a while where both of those sides have clicked.”

Iowa State’s pitching hasn’t been perfect, but it has been enough to keep the team in the running for most of its contests. Senior pitcher Stacy Roggentien has had a late-season resurgence, with her play becoming more and more vital to the team.

Roggentien has raised her season totals to a record of 8-5 and is leading the team in ERA with a mark of 3.56, which is 1.13 lower than ISU ace Katie Johnson.

“Stacy is a great change of pace pitcher for us. She changes speed really well and she’s always confident out there,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said.

Iowa State will need to be at its best if the team wants to pull off the upset against Drake. The Bulldogs are currently sitting atop the Missouri Valley standings with a 27-14 record. They are also 16-4 in conference and are winners of 11 of their last 13 games.

The Bulldogs came to the Cyclone Sports Complex and defeated the Cyclones in a close 6-3 game earlier in the season. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and held off the Cyclones, despite a career-high 10 strikeouts for Roggentien.

“I just came out confident like I always do and I knew I could get the outs,” Roggentien said.

The Cyclones will need to start fast in order to avoid the same result as the previous matchup. It will be even more difficult to muster any late momentum this time, since Iowa State will be playing on the road.

The Cyclones will try to avenge their previous loss at 6 p.m. April 21 at Ron Buel Field. They have had some major issues away from home since the start of April, going 1-7 away from the Cyclone Sports Complex.

The rematch against Drake is a perfect opportunity for Iowa State to show some grit and get a much needed win in a hostile environment.