LAS VEGAS, NEV. - The Drake
softball team turned in a strong performance in the opener of the Eller Media
Tournament on Thursday (Feb. 26) against UNLV (8-7) but a pair of home runs provided
the Rebels with a 3-2 victory over the Bulldogs (7-4).
UNLV got the scoring started in the bottom of the first as
Brittany Bolinger beat out a bunt in front of the plate to set the table for a
two-run home run by Jaci Hull on a 1-1 count.
UNLV extended the margin to 3-0 in the bottom of the second
as Brittany Meade took a 1-2 offering from sophomore Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho/Coeur
d'Alene) over the wall in left center for a solo home
run.
The Bulldogs' offense erupted in the fourth for a pair of
tallies to cut the deficit to 3-2. Freshman
Torey Craddock (Tucson,
Ariz./Salpointe Catholic) collected a one-out
single through the left side before sophomore Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park,
Ill./Andrew) singled to center to
place two runners on base. Junior Kelsey Kahler (North Liberty,
Iowa/Clear-Creek Amana) pinch ran for Mollohan at first base. A DeLong groundout moved runners to second
and third to set the stage for two-run double off the wall in left by sophomore
Molly McClelland (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley). Jessica O'Connor fanned the final Drake
batter in the frame to end the threat.
DeLong held the Rebels at bay over the next two frames
allowing only two base runners, while not surrendering a hit.
The Bulldogs mounted a threat in the top of the sixth as sophomore
Erin Bly (Frankfort,
Ill./Lincoln
Way East) began the inning with a walk.
Craddock moved Bly up to second before junior Carrie Hatfield (Des
Moines, Iowa/East) pinch
ran for Bly. Hatfield was cut down at
third on a fielder's choice off the bat of Mollohan. Kahler ran for Mollohan at first and moved up
to second on a wild pitch. DeLong
singled to third base to place runners on the corners before Traci Odegard
caught McClelland in the back to load the bases. Odegard ended the threat as McClelland was
out at second on a fielder's choice off the bat of junior Mandy Osborn (Blair,
Neb. /Blair).
Junior Elena Leon
(West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) hit a 2-1 Odegard offering with
one out in the top of the seventh for a double to right field. After a strikeout, Bly got hold off a ball to
right which tailed on the right fielder before Tara Bendt caught the ball for
the final out.
O'Conner picked up the victory to improve to 5-1, while
DeLong suffered the loss to drop to 2-2.
Odegard collected her first save of the season.
Craddock and Leon each collected two hits for the Bulldogs.
Drake returns to action on Friday (Feb. 27) with a 4:00 p.m.
contest against Florida Atlantic. The
Bulldogs then finish the day versus Loyola Marymount at 8:00 p.m.
