SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake University softball team split a doubleheader at Missouri State on Monday (March 16) at Killian Stadium. Drake (11-11, 2-1 MVC) edged Missouri State (12-13, 1-2 MVC), 1-0, in the opening game before falling 2-0 in the second game.

In the circle, freshman Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) shut down the Bears in the first game. Newman went the distance allowing just three hits while striking out nine and working around four walks. She earned the win to improve to 6-3 on the season.

The Bulldogs scored the game's only run in the second inning. Senior Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.), who was in the designated player position, led off the frame with a single. Sophomore Maddie Hooyman (Trenton, Mo.) pinch ran for Schmidt and promptly stole second. Fellow sophomore Ashlie Chambers (Ankeny, Iowa) followed with a single and then came around to score after an error by the Missouri State right fielder Ali Trickey.

Senior Sarah Ryan (Mount Vernon, Iowa) and sophomore Megan Sowa (Gurnee, Ill.) had the only others hits for the Bulldogs, and they each drew one walk.

Schmidt took the tough loss in the second game as the senior pitched six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out eight. She didn't walk a batter as she dropped to 5-7 with the loss.

Missouri State scored its first run in the second inning. Schmidt retired the first two batters of the frame, but then allowed consecutive singles to put runners on the corners. Schmidt then tossed a wild pitch to bring in the run. Rebecca McPherson added an insurance run in the sixth with a solo home run.

The Bulldogs' bats were quiet in the game as Sowa had the only two hits.

Drake opens its home schedule this weekend as the Evansville Purple Aces are scheduled to visit Ron Buel Field on March 21-22. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday with first pitch of game one set for 12 p.m.