DES MOINES, IOWA -- The Drake softball team completed its nonconference schedule with a doubleheader sweep over UMKC, 5-0 and 11-3, Tuesday afternoon at Buel Field.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 24-23 overall, out hit the Kangaroos by a combined 17-8 deficit.

Drake scored five runs in the third and fourth innings to beat UMKC in game one, 5-0.

Senior Kristin Birocci (Des Moines, Iowa) singled through the middle to drive in sophomore Bridget Shields (Iowa City, Iowa) to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

The Bulldogs scored four runs off three hits to take a 5-0 lead in the fourth frame. Sophomore Elena Leon (West Des Moines, Iowa) and Kelsey Kahler (North Liberty, Iowa) pulled off a double-steal for the Bulldogs to move to 2-0.

Kahler then scored on a throwing error by second baseman Amanda Kinn. Senior Marilyn Buss (Wet Des Moines, Iowa) then singled-home freshman Molly McClelland (West Des Moines, Iowa) moving the Bulldogs to a 4-0 lead.

Freshman Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.) hit an RBI single to left field, driving in Birocci to cap off the four run fourth.

Drake held UMKC to three hits through the final three innings to earn their first victory in five games.

Freshman pitcher Jenna DeLong (Chanhassen, Minn.) earned a share of her first collegiate shutout, pitching six innings and striking out four batters. Junior Stefanie Clayton (Semora, N.C.) gave up only one hit pitching in one inning of relief.

Mollohan drove in Birocci to plate the first run of game two on a single up the middle in the first inning.

Birocci then scored two of the Bulldogs five two-out second inning runs when she singled to drive in Hatfield and Buss after Buss had moved Hatfield from first to third on a double to left center.

Senior Susan Slycord (West Des Moines, Iowa) hit a three run home run to drive in Birocci and Mollohan taking a 6-1 lead for the Bulldogs, completing the five run second frame.

The Bulldogs continued to score in the third inning when Kahler hit a one-out triple and was plated on a Shields single through the right side. Hatfield then singled up the middle before McClelland singled to score Hatfield. Shields scored the same play on a fielding error by right fielder Kinn.

Mollohan doubled-home McClelland to cap the four run frame.
Drake added an insurance run in the fourth when freshman Erin Bly (Frankfort, Ill.) tripled to lead off the inning and was singled home by freshman Sonya Brauchle (Orono, Minn.). It marked Brauchle's first collegiate hit and RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Mandy Osborn (Blair, Neb.) gave up only one earned run on six hits and struck out four batters to earn her third win of the season.

The Bulldogs, who had only had one triple this season, added three to their stat sheet in the doubleheader sweep.

Mollohan went 2-2 in the first game, while going 3-5 with three RBI on the afternoon. Birocci led the Bulldogs in game two going 2-3 with a 3-6 performance on the day with three RBI.

The Bulldogs complete regular season action this weekend with a three game series with Missouri Valley Conference opponent Wichita State. A doubleheader with the Shockers is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday.