DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake University softball team split its Friday doubleheader with Wichita State, falling in the opener, 1-0, and taking the nightcap 8-0 in five innings.

Pitchers Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) and Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) threw similar games but wound up on opposite ends of the win column. DeLong tossed seven innings, striking out nine and walking three while allowing a single, unearned run on three hits to end up with the tough-luck loss in game one. Dordel tossed five innings and struck out seven while allowing no runs on one hit to earn the victory in game two. Both pitchers are now 10-4 on the season.

Offensively, the two games were as different as it gets. The Bulldogs managed just three hits and were shut out in the opener, but exploded for eight runs on 10 hits in game two. Freshman Macie Silliman (Winterset, Iowa) scored three runs and drove in two with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate in her first appearance in the two hole this season.

Drake loaded the bases in the first two innings and scored six of their eight runs in those innings.

Senior Kelsey Kahler (North Liberty, Iowa) went 2-for-2 with two runs scored in game two.

Drake improved to 20-9 overall, and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Head coach Rich Calvert earned both his 200th career win and his 200th career setback on the day.

The Bulldogs and Shockers wrap up their three-game MVC series with a noon game on Saturday. The game will be Drake's Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness game. The Drake players will be wearing purple jerseys, which will be auctioned off following the game. During the game, fans will have the opportunity to bid on the game worn jerseys. Proceeds from the jersey auction will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

As a special promotion, all tickets for the game are one dollar.