The Drake University softball team split its opening day contests at the Metrodome Softball Classic, Friday, falling to Iowa State 5-2 in the opener and topping host Minnesota 5-0 in the nightcap. Senior Kelsey Kahler  paced the offense with a four hits and a pair of RBI while Brynne Dordel turned in a dominant performance in game two to earn Drake's first victory of 2010.

The Bulldogs opened the day with a 5-2 setback against Iowa State. The Cyclones scored four runs in the top of the third on a bases-loaded double by Courtney Wray and a Bulldog error. Kahler (North Liberty, Iowa) cut the deficit to three with a solo home run in the bottom of the frame, her fifth-career homer.

After a scoreless fourth inning, senior Carrie Hatfield (Des Moines, Iowa) led off the bottom of the fifth with a triple and was driven home when Kahler singled through the left side. Cyclone pitcher Rachel Zabriskie rebounded to strike out the side in the fifth. Iowa State added a run in the top of the seventh while Zabriskie held to Bulldogs scoreless through the final two innings to preserve the 5-2 margin.

Junior pitcher Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) took the loss after throwing seven innings and allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six. Her record stands at 0-1.

"The big inning was our downfall," said head coach Rich Calvert. "We weren't able to catch up with enough runs."

Drake rebounded to earn a 5-0 win over host Minnesota in the nightcap behind a stellar effort from Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) and the offensive push of seniors Elena Leon (West Des Moines, Iowa) and Kahler.

Leon went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored behind Dordel's two-hit, seven-strikeout gem. The senior broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple that scored Kahler and put Drake on top 1-0. Leon scored when senior Bridget Shields (Iowa City, Iowa) doubled to left, ensuring a 2-0 Bulldog lead after five.

In the seventh, Leon drove in Jaimie Duffek (Brookfield, Ill.) then scored  with Kahler two batters later when junior Erin Bly (Frankfort, Ill.) smacked a two-run single to right. Three runs in the top of the seventh and a scoreless bottom from Dordel captured the 5-0 victory for Drake.

"Brynne [Dordel] had a great game," Calvert added. "It was great to see her back in form."

Drake's record stands at 1-1 on the season. The Bulldogs continue play at the Metrodome Softball Classic Saturday with a 9 a.m. tilt against Arkansas and 3 p.m. showdown with Iowa.