DES MOINES, Iowa – A two-run home run by Jordan de los Reyes sealed Illinois State's series sweep of the Drake University softball team with a 10-2 win in five innings on Saturday afternoon at Buel Field.
 
Illinois State (22-17, 12-3 MVC), the Missouri Valley Conference leader, took the first inning lead after two runners reached base on a pair of errors by the Bulldogs. A sacrifice fly allowed both of the Redbirds to advance before back-to-back singles gave Illinois State the 3-0 lead after one inning.
 
Drake (20-23, 3-12 MVC) answered in the second inning with a pair of runs. Freshman Sarah Maddox (Henderson, Nev.) drew a walk after freshman Aryka Knoche (Little Canada, Minn.) reached on an error by the Redbirds to start the frame. Sophomore Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.) then reached base on a fielders choice before sophomore Gabbie Jonas (Omaha, Neb.) singled to score both Maddox and Pena and trim the Bulldogs' deficit to 3-2.
 
Illinois State responded with an RBI single in the third inning and a later six-run, fourth-inning to take the win.
 
Knoche moved to 2-4 on the season with the loss. She pitched 3.1 innings and allowed seven runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks. Freshman Abby Buie (Gardner, Kan.) pitched 1.2 innings of relief and gave up three runs on four hits.
 
The Bulldogs will look to rebound against in-state rival UNI with a midweek doubleheader on Tuesday, April 18 at Buel Field with games scheduled at 4 and 6 p.m.