Bulldogs Down Iowa, 2-1, With Seventh-Inning Dramatics

DES MOINES, Iowa – Freshman Amy Pierce slapped a two-out, bases-loaded single to centerfield to drive in two Bulldog runs and propel the Drake University softball team to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Iowa at Ron Buel Field. The win was Drake's 10th in its last 11 games and pushed the team's record to 22-12 overall.

The Bulldogs, down to their last out with the bases empty, place three runners on before Pierce (Olathe, Kan.) stepped to the plate with the winning swing. Sam West (Kearney, Mo.) beat out an infield single, Lindsey Vande Wall (Prairie City, Iowa) reached on an error by the second baseman and Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) drew a walk to load the bases in front of Pierce.

The seventh-inning drama saved a victory for senior pitcher Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.) who was brilliant in a complete-game, two-hit effort. Dordel baffled the Hawkeye lineup all afternoon, striking out seven to move her career total to 651 – two shy of Jessica Hicks (2003-06) for third all-time at Drake. The win put Dordel's record at 10-7 on the season.

The senior's lone blemish came on a sixth-inning sac fly by Iowa right fielder Brianna Luna that scored second baseman Katie Keim and gave Iowa a 1-0 lead after six. Dordel used just 86 pitches to close the game and struck out the side in the fifth.

Vande Wall led Drake with two hits while Keim collected both hits for the Hawkeyes.

The Bulldogs put their 8-0 Missouri Valley Conference record on the line this weekend during a three-game series at Wichita State. The teams kick off the weekend with a doubleheader at noon on Saturday.

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