NASHVILLE, Tenn.--The Drake softball team returned to action on Saturday in the Lady Bison Classic with a victory against Alabama State in its first game of the day and a defeat at the hands of Middle Tennessee State to conclude its final tournament of the season.

Drake started its first outing of the day with two runs in the top of the first inning and would not give up that lead, as the Bulldogs would go on to top Alabama State 11-3.

The first game of the day saw a strong offensive performance by the Bulldogs, with team rallied for 11 runs and 14 hits. Leading the offensive charge was junior Lindsey Vande Wall (Prairie City, Iowa), batting 4-4, with a double, one RBI, and two runs. Sophomore Amy Pierce (Olathe, Kan.) added three RBIs on two hits, including a triple.

Sophomore Jordan Gronewold (Carlisle, Iowa) picked up her sixth win of the year with a strong outing, pitching a one-hitter in four innings of work. Her performance included five strikeouts, one walked batter, and one unearned run. With the game well in hand, freshman Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.) would relieve Gronewold for the final two innings of the game, allowing two runs on one hit, and striking out five of the eight batters she faced.

The second game proved to be a pitcher's duel as Drake and Middle Tennessee State combined for four hits, as Middle Tennessee State would edge the Bulldogs 2-1. Gronewold started her second game of the day and had another strong outing, striking out 10 Blue Raiders and only allowing two hits, but took the loss as Drake could only gather one hit.

Drake took the lead in the second inning after Lindsey Vande Wall made it home after senior Jaimie Duffek (Brookfield, Ill.) reached on an error. Sophomore Liz Buck (Overland Park, Kan.) collected the only hit for the Bulldogs earlier in the second inning. The Bulldogs were then shut down for the remainder of the game by Middle Tennessee pitcher Jordyn Fisherback.