DES MOINES – The Drake University softball team clinched a series sweep over the Evansville Purple Aces with a 5-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Ron Buel Field. The result pushes the Bulldogs' season-long win streak to four games. 
 
Evansville struck first in the top of the second inning with a solo home run to right field off the bat of Haley Woolf. 
 
Drake looked to answer in the bottom half of the frame as the Bulldogs earned three-straight walks to load the bases, but Libby Ryan popped out to first base to end the threat. It was the lone time Ryan was retired on the day as the senior shortstop recorded three singles in her other at-bats. 
 
Drake broke through in the bottom of the third after a walk drawn by Macy Johnson preceded a two-run blast over the right field wall by Emily Valtman, putting the Bulldogs ahead 2-1. 
 
It was Evansville's turn to respond in the top half of the fourth. Alyssa Barela stroked a lead-off double off the wall in left-center, and Jenna Lis singled home the tying run. 
 
The tie didn't last long as the Bulldogs poured in three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Haylee Lehman and Ryan began the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Johnson delivered a single into center field to plate Lehman, and then promptly stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for Valtman. 
 
Valtman swatted a single through the right side as Ryan and Johnson both came home to score, extending the Bulldogs' advantage to 5-2 through four innings. 
 
The Purple Aces made a final push in the seventh inning with the first three batters of the frame reaching base courtesy of two walks and a single. After a fielder's choice, Evansville's Marah Wood lined a double off the top of the wall in right-center field to plate two runs and bring the Purple Aces within one with just one out. 
 
Following a walk to load the bases, Drake called in Mackenzie Hupke in relief, and the sophomore slammed the door shut with a pair of clutch strikeouts to earn her first save of the year. 
 
Drake aims to continue its winning ways on Tuesday when it welcomes UNI to Ron Buel Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.