AUBURN, Ala. – The Drake University softball team travels to Auburn, Ala., Feb. 15-17, for the Plainsman Invitational hosted by Auburn University. On Friday, Drake (4-1) will play Texas Tech and Furman at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., UAB and Auburn Saturday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., before ending the weekend Sunday with a 9 a.m. rematch against Texas Tech.
In their season opening tournament, the UNI-Dome Classic, the Bulldogs defeated Toledo twice, Saint Louis and SEMO with their lone loss to South Dakota State. In the circle,
Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) dominated inside the dome, going 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA, one save and 28 strikeouts to just three walks. At the plate, the Bulldogs used a combination of timely hitting and patience as they batted .308 with runners in scoring position and drew 38 walks. Newman contributed at the plate with a three-run home run in the sixth inning in the second win over Toledo that propelled Drake to an 11-10 comeback.
Texas Tech (5-0) is off to its best start since the 2001 season. The Red Raiders have a pair of wins over Nebraska and a victory over Wisconsin. Furman (2-3) defeated Georgetown and Gardner-Webb in its last two games. UAB (4-2) is led by first-year head coach Jimmy Kolaitis who spent the past five seasons at perennial power Oregon. No. 21 Auburn (3-2) has wins over Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Florida A&M and one run losses to Louisiana Tech and Missouri State.
Following its trip to Alabama, Drake heads to Fayetteville, Ark., Feb. 22-24 for the Razorback Invitational hosted by Arkansas, where the Bulldogs will play five games.