WICHITA, Kan. – The Drake Bulldogs softball team and the Wichita State Shockers softball team split a doubleheader on Saturday at Wilkins Stadium. Drake won the first game 3-1, before falling to Wichita State, 6-1, in the finale.

In game one, Wichita State (17-29, 8-12 MVC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a solo home run by Melanie Jaegers in the first inning off of Drake (26-18, 12-6 MVC) starting pitcher Jordan Gronewold (Carlisle, Iowa).

However, Gronewold gave Drake the lead for good in the next frame as she blasted a two-run shot to put Drake ahead at 2-1. Junior Nicole Randel (Alpine, Calif.) added an insurance run in the third inning on an RBI single that scored Amy Pierce (Olathe, Kan.). The run scored by Pierce ties the Drake single season record of 45, held by Elena Leon in 2009.

Gronewold settled down after the home run and allowed just three more hits in four innings as she earned the win to move to 16-8 on the year. Sophomore Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.) replaced Gronewold and went three scoreless innings allowing just two hits, while striking out six batters to earn her Valley-leading eighth save.

Wichita State staked an early 2-0 advantage in the second game with two runs in the second inning. Abby Furstenberg drove in two runs with a single.

The Shockers broke the game open in the fourth inning with four runs on four hits and one Drake error. Gronewold gave up a single to start the inning, got the next hitter to pop out before allowing another single. Schmidt was summoned out of the bullpen and she retired Fortner for out number two, but Pierce bobbled a grounder by the next hitter, Brittany Fortner, to extend the inning. Jaegars made the Bulldogs pay ripping an RBI single to score one run and the Shockers added three more to cruise to the win.

Gronewold pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing five runs (all unearned) on five hits, while walking and striking out one. She took the loss to drop her record to 16-9. Schimdt tossed 2 2/3 innings and freshman Mariah Mckinnon (Oxford, Iowa) tossed one scoreless inning.

Senior Macie Silliman (Winterset, Iowa) led the Drake offense with three hits, while sophomore Zeah Peterson (Baxter, Iowa) had one hit and one run scored.

The teams conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a single game. First pitch is set for noon. Live stats will be available at www.godrakebulldogs.com.