NORMAN, Okla. - The Drake University softball team heads to Oklahoma this weekend for another slate of ranked opponents. Drake's first stop is in Norman for the three-game Oklahoma Invite Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs will take on No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 25 Northwestern and Grand Canyon. After Norman, Drake travels to Tulsa to face the Tulsa Sunday.
 
Friday – vs. Grand Canyon – 10:30 a.m.
Friday – vs. No. 23 Northwestern – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday - at No. 4 Oklahoma – 1 p.m.
Sunday – at Tulsa – 12 p.m.
 
Drake (RV) (11-9) faced a gauntlet of top teams in Arizona last weekend, including five-straight games against ranked teams. The Bulldogs faced both No. 12 Arizona and No. 23 Minnesota twice, and No. 19 James Madison once.
 
After going winless against the ranked foes, the Bulldogs bounced back with a convincing 8-0 five-inning win over Kent State in the final game thanks to a one-hit outing in for Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.). Newman also reached base in each of her three plate-appearances to boost her on-base percentage to .429.
 
The Bulldogs face Grand Canyon (11-8) in their first game of the Oklahoma Invite. The Lopes are led by seniors Shea and Sierra Smith. Shea leads the team in batting average at .483 and Sierra is second at .371. The game will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
 
Drake will also face No. 23 Northwestern (14-4) for the first time Friday. The Wildcats boast a strong pitching staff, led by Danielle Williams, who has posted a 10-2 record and a 0.81 ERA which is third in the Big Ten.
 
In their final game of the Oklahoma Invite, Drake will face No. 3 Oklahoma (16-2) Saturday. The Sooners lead the all-time series 6-0, including 5-0 in Norman. Pitcher Mariah Lopez is 7-1 this season and has averaged 10.67 strikeouts per game.
 
Tulsa (11-7) will face Grand Canyon and Northwestern in the Oklahoma Invite before facing the Bulldogs at home. Drake leads the all-time series 9-3 and has won four of the last five meetings. Juli Hollingsworth is batting an impressive .521 this season in 15 games played.
 

After their trip to Oklahoma, the Bulldogs begin the Missouri Valley Conference season at Southern Illinois, March 16-17.