Saturday, April 23, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University softball team dropped a 5-2, rubber game matchup to Illinois State Saturday, putting the two teams in a tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings at 16-3. The Bulldogs fell to 30-16 overall.

Senior pitcher Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho), seemingly invincible all week, was touched for five runs (two earned) on seven hits to take her first MVC loss. DeLong stands at 19-5 overall with an even 2.00 ERA.

Senior Molly McClelland (West Des Moines, Iowa) scored both Drake runs in the loss, including the first on a third-inning solo shot to left – her second of the season. McClelland finished the game 2-for-2, raising her team-best batting average to .340 on the season.

The Bulldogs stranded eight runners on the game, including five in the first two innings.  Drake loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a one-out single by freshman Amy Pierce (Olathe, Kan.) and two-out walks by senior Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.) and McClelland.

The Bulldogs put two on in the second on a Nicole Randel (Alpine, Calif.) single and a walk by DeLong. None of Drake's five baserunners crossed the plate in the opening two innings, setting the stage for the Bulldogs' deficit after three frames.

The loss put the two squads at 16-3 in MVC play. Both teams still have third-ranked Southern Illinois (13-3) on the schedule.

Drake honored four seniors, DeLong, McClelland, Mollohan and Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) in a pregame ceremony.

The Bulldogs play game three against Creighton Tuesday at Ron Buel Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.