CARBONDALE, Ill. – Sophomore Kaitlyn Finneran (Morrison, Ill.) blasted her first career grand slam and senior Rebekah Schmidt (Cottage Grove, Minn.) allowed just three hits and struck out seven as the Drake Bulldogs softball team blanked the Southern Illinois Salukis, 11-0, in five innings on Sunday (April 12) afternoon.
Drake improved to 24-12 overall and 13-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference with the win as it completed its third MVC series sweep of 2015.
Finneran, who finished with a career-high six runs batted in, also drew three walks. Freshman Kelsey Wright (Olathe, Kan.) launched a leadoff home run to start the game while sophomore Megan Sowa (Gurnee, Ill.) had a team-best two hits and two runs scored.
Schmidt's record moved to 14-8 with the win as she now has 51 in her career. She is tied for fifth with former great Stephanie Wright (1993-96) for career wins in school history.
Drake finished with just seven hits in the game, but practiced patience by drawing a season-high 13 walks. The 13 walks helped the Bulldogs equal its highest run total in a league game this season. Drake beat Loyola, 11-3, back on April 3.
Drake has a quick turnaround as it welcomes in-state rival UNI to Ron Buel Field on Tuesday, April 14 for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 4 p.m.
