LEXINGTON, KY. – The Drake University softball team completed day one of the John Cropp Classic hosted by Kentucky on Friday March 4. The Bulldogs dropped both games and look to bounce back on Saturday.
 
Kent State 8, Drake 3
The Bulldogs opened play against Kent State, a team they had a 2-0 history against.  
 
Kent State opened the bottom of the first with three runs. The Golden Flashes right fielder led the team with three RBI's.
 
In the top of the third Alexia Lara went to bat and recorded a sacrifice fly. With Emily Valtman on first, Macy Johnson on second and Libby Ryan on third, Lara's hit allowed each of them to advance to the next base and Ryan to score.
 
Two batters later, the Bulldogs scored again when Johnson found home plate after a wild pitch.
 
Kentucky 10, Drake 5
Drake took an early lead when MaKayla Rice singled to center field allowing Valtman who was on third to score, putting the Bulldogs up 1-0.
 
Kentucky managed to have two score in the bottom of the first to take the lead 2-1.
 
The Wildcats managed to score two runs in both the second and third innings. Drake attempted to minimize the lead in the third when Delaney Taylor singled to leftfield allowing Johnson to score, making it a 6-2 ball game.
 
In the top of the seventh with one out, Carey Koenig singled to left field, allowing Taylor to score.
 
With two outs and bases loaded, Johnson ended up walking, forcing Kentucky to allow Drake to score, making it a 10-5 game.
 
Valtman went to bat with bases loaded but struck out swinging.
 
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday March 5 at 11am against Kent State before taking on No. 19 Michigan at 3pm.