CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Drake University softball team dropped a close 1-0 matchup against Southern Illinois on Saturday afternoon. The Missouri Valley Conference series between the two teams was adjusted due to Saturday's forecast with a single game played today and a doubleheader now on Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
 
The sole run came for SIU in the fourth inning on a run batted in from Maddy Vermejan which scored Merri Ann Patterson.
 
Drake (16-14, 0-4 MVC) tallied two hits which came from sophomore Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.) and senior Kaitlyn Finneran (Morrison, Ill.). Finneran singled in the third before being tagged out on a fielders' choice on the next at bat. Pena's single came in the fifth inning, and pinch runner Kennedy Frank (Chesterfield, Mo.) was caught stealing during the next at-bat for junior Kelsey Wright (Olathe, Kan.), who then flew out to end the threat.
 
Junior pitcher Kailee Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) dropped to 7-10 this season after pitching 6.0 innings. Smith gave up one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out one batter.
 
Sunday's doubleheader will be streamed The Valley on ESPN3. The first game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the second game starting 30 minutes after.