Drake Splits Softball Doubleheader Against Illinois State

DES MOINES, Iowa – The initial battle between the top two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference ended in a draw Friday, as the MVC-leading Drake University softball team split a doubleheader against second ranked Illinois State at Ron Buel Field. The Bulldogs won the opener, 4-3, with yet another walk-off victory and dropped game two 5-1.

Drake (30-16, 16-2) and Illinois State (29-14, 15-3) will play the rubber match Saturday at noon.

Sophomore Sam West (Kearney, Mo.) handed the Bulldogs a 4-3 opening-game win with a walk-off double in the seventh over the heads of a drawn-in Redbird outfield. West stepped to the plate after Molly McClelland (West Des Moines, Iowa) singled to start the inning. Sophomore Macie Silliman (Winterset, Iowa) ran for McClelland and moved to second on a one-out single by freshman Nicole Randel (Alpine, Calif.). West plated Silliman three pitches later.

Senior Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) improved her Valley-best record to 12-0 in conference play with a seven-inning, five-hit effort. DeLong allowed three runs, struck out nine and led off the game with a solo shot to left – her 10th of the season.

The Bulldogs were not so fortunate in game two, a 5-1 setback. The Drake offense managed just three hits behind senior pitcher Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) who took the loss after tossing 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four. Her record stands at 10-10 overall.

DeLong entered in relief in the fifth and sat down both Abby Olson and Elizabeth Kay on strikes to escape a two-on, one-out jam.

Senior Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.) accounted for Drake's lone run with a second-inning solo shot to center, her 10th.

Tomorrow's matchup with Illinois State will be senior day at Ron Buel Field. DeLong, Dordel, McClelland and Mollohan will be honored for their contributions to Drake softball in a pregame ceremony.

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