DES MOINES – The Drake University softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against Indiana State by scores of 12-8 and 11-3 on Saturday afternoon at Ron Buel Field. The Bulldogs will aim to claim the series finale Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
The Sycamores opened the scoring in the first game with a three-run blast in the top of the first inning before adding five more runs in the third inning. Drake responded with six runs in its half of the fourth, capped by a two-run single by Addie Lightner.
 
Indiana State answered by scratching across three runs in the top of the fifth, and Drake's two-run seventh-inning rally fell short.
 
Aubree Beitzinger (2-for-4) and Skylar Rigby (3-for-4) formed a potent one-two punch in the middle of Drake's lineup.
 
In the second game, the Sycamores again struck first with an overwhelming eight-run third inning highlighted by four doubles. Emily Valtman earned an RBI in the bottom of the third for Drake, but the Bulldogs couldn't convert any further with the bases loaded.
 
Indiana State waved in two more runs in the fourth inning, and the Bulldogs' fifth inning comeback again fell short, resulting in a run-rule stoppage.
 
Makayla Rice went 2-for-2 for the game, and her leadoff double in the fifth inning sparked Drake's rally.
 
Drake and Indiana State conclude their series with an 11 a.m. first pitch on Sunday at Ron Buel Field.