EVANSVILLE, IND. - The Drake University softball team split a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader with Evansville, Saturday, dropping the opener, 5-4, and winning, 1-0, in the nightcap.

Drake's top three batters, Elena Leon (West Des Moines, Iowa), Kelsey Kahler (North Liberty, Iowa) and Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.),  went 5-for-10 and scored all of the Bulldogs' four runs in game one. Leon hit her 10th home run of the season in the third inning for Drake's first run of the game. The shot was a program-best 33rd for Leon's career.

Torey Craddock (Tucson, Ariz.) slapped a two-run double in the fifth to score Kahler and Mollohan and cut the Evansville lead to one run.

Junior Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) weathered a rocky start to take the loss in game one. Dordel allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out five in a complete game effort. Dordel's record fell to 15-7 on the season.

Junior pitcher Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) had more luck against the Purple Aces in game two, tossing a complete game shutout and leading Drake to a 1-0 victory. DeLong allowed four hits and walked two while striking out six to move to 15-9 overall.

DeLong also scored the Bulldogs' lone run in game two after drawing a leadoff walk in the fifth inning and scoring two batters later on a Molly McClelland (West Des Moines, Iowa) RBI double.

Drake's record moved to 30-17 overall, equaling its 2009 win total with six games remaining. The Bulldogs also are 11-10 in the MVC.

Drake and Evansville finish a three-game MVC series tomorrow at noon.