MINNEAPOLIS, MINN - The Drake University softball team fell, 7-3, to Iowa, Sunday in its final contest at the Metrodome Softball Classic. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but couldn't hold the Hawkeye offense in check.

Senior Elena Leon (West Des Moines, Iowa) led off the game with a single and was bunted over by Bridget Shields (Iowa City, Iowa). Junior Erin Bly (Frankfort, Ill.) and sophomore Torey Craddock (Tucson, Ariz.) slapped back-to-back singles to load the bases for sophomore Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.) Mollohan came through with a two-run single to left that scored Leon and Bly and gave Drake an early 2-0 advantage. Craddock scored on a passed ball to extend the Bulldog advantage to 3-0, but that was all the scoring Drake would do in the game.

The Hawks cut Drake's lead to one after a two-run first, then exploded for five runs in the third for a total of seven. Hawkeye pitcher Amanda Zust held Drake in check to secure the 7-3 win for Iowa.

Jenna DeLong was tagged for seven runs (six earned) on six hits and five walks. Senior Mandy Osborn () threw a perfect sixth to close out the game. The loss put DeLong's record at 1-2 on the year.

Drake, which moved its overall record to 2-3, travels to the Sleep Inn Classic in Denton, Texas next weekend. The Bulldogs meet Buffalo next Friday in a 10 a.m. tilt.