CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Drake University softball team opened the season with an extra innings win over North Dakota State, 2-1, in nine innings at the Ramada UNI-Dome Classic Friday evening.

Junior Amy Pierce (Olathe, Kan.) was placed on second base to start the bottom of the ninth, in accordance to the NCAA international tiebreaker rule. The rule states that starting with the top of the predetermined inning and each half-inning to follow, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player scheduled to bat ninth in that half inning being placed on second base. Pierce scored two batters later when junior Cortney Wood (Alburnett, Iowa) put the ball in play to score Pierce from third.

The Bulldogs (1-0) got good pitching from junior Jordan Gronewold (Carlisle, Iowa). Gronewold took the start for Drake, and had two stints in the circle, for a total of 5.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing just one hit. Sophomore Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.) relieved Gronewold in the fourth inning and lasted 3.1 innings, allowing one hit, one unearned run and punching out four.

Drake had six hits, each by a different player. Pierce scored both times for the Bulldogs while sophomore Laura Brewer (Waukee, Iowa) and Wood were responsible for the RBIs.

Pierce came home safely in the second inning, scoring on Brewer's single, to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first. North Dakota State (1-1) tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI groundout.

Drake returns to action tomorrow in the second day of the tournament as they will face Illinois at 11 a.m. and finishing the day with a 3 p.m. matchup with No. 1 Alabama. The Crimson Tide won the 2012 NCAA championship.