SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake University softball team travels to Missouri State March 27-28 for a three game Missouri Valley Conference series. The doubleheader Saturday has a first pitch set for noon while the series finale is Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Drake (5-15, 1-2 MVC) started its MVC schedule taking one of three games at Southern Illinois last weekend. The Bulldogs snapped the Salukis' 22-game home winning streak with their win Saturday in the second game of doubleheader. SIU's streak was the third longest home run in the nation.
 
Sophomore Emily Valtman went 3-for-5 (.600) at the plate in the SIU series with two home runs, two runs scored and three RBI while also drawing two walks and she was hit by one pitch. Valtman's first home run came in the opening game of the series while the second happened in the series finale. This season, she is batting .304 and is tied for the team home run lead with two and runs batted in with 10.
 
Missouri State (13-9, 4-1 MVC) swept SIU Wednesday afternoon in a midweek doubleheader in Carbondale. Steffany Dickerson and Madison Hunsaker each tossed complete games and held the Salukis' offense to just one run in the two games. The Bears offense hit three home runs in the two wins to back Dickerson and Hunsaker.
 
Drake begins its home schedule Tuesday, March 30 with an in-state contest against Iowa State. First pitch at Buel Field is scheduled for 5 p.m.