TUCSON, Ariz. – The Drake University softball team closed out the Wildcat Invitational with a 5-2 win over Abilene Christian on Sunday, Feb. 19 afternoon.
 
Drake (7-4) was once again led by junior pitcher Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) who pitched her fifth complete game of the season and now holds a 5-2 record. Newman struck out nine batters giving up only one earned run and allowed four hits. Junior Kailee Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) had a perfect day in the batters box going 3-3 including her first two home runs of the season. Senior Megan Sowa (Gurnee, Ill.) finished 1-2 with a home run and two runs batted in.
 
Abilene Christian (3-8) quickly took the lead with an RBI single by Taylor Brown in the first inning before Smith hit a solo shot in the second to tie it up, 1-1. The Wildcats momentarily took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning before Drake scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth. Junior Kelsey Wright (Olathe, Kan.) scored sophomore pinch runner Kennedy Frank (Chesterfield, Mo.) with an RBI single. Sowa ended the inning with a two-run home run for a 5-2 lead.  

The Bulldogs have a short three-day break prior to the start of the Mardi Gras Classic held by Louisiana in Lafayette, La. The Classic takes place Feb. 23–25, where the Bulldogs will play six games in three days. Drake starts the tournament against Bowling Green on Feb. 23 and will play the host Ragin' Cajuns later in the day.