TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Drake University softball team defeated Indiana State, 9-3, in the first game before falling 5-3 to the Sycamores in the final game of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader between the two teams on Saturday.

Drake (16-29, 8-12 MVC) junior Laura Brewer (Waukee, Iowa) was 3-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, three runs scored and five runs batted in in the two games. Brewer has blasted six home runs in her last six games as she had one in each game today

Brewer's solo shot in the opening inning of game one gave the Bulldogs an early 1-0 advantage. Indiana State (25-24, 7-15 MVC) answered with a run of its own in its first at-bat to tie the game at 1-1. However, it was all Drake the rest of game as it scored two runs, three runs and another three runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, respectively, to pull away for the victory.

Sophomore Mariah McKinnon (Oxford, Iowa) pitched 4.0 innings and allowed two runs on three hits to earn the win as her record moves to 2-10. Brewer and freshman Megan Sowa (Gurnee, Ill.) each had two hits, while senior Amy Pierce (Olathe, Kan.) added one hit, one stolen base, two runs and two RBI.

The Sycamores limited the Bulldogs to just four hits in the second game as Drake was held scoreless until the sixth inning. The Bulldogs trailed 5-0 heading into the sixth before Brewer blasted her second home run of the day, this one a three-run bomb to cut the deficit to 5-3. However, it wasn't enough as Drake failed to rally as Indiana State salvaged a split.

The teams will conclude the series with a single game on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.