SPRINGFIELD, Missouri -- The Np. 4 Drake University softball team topped No. 5 Bradley, 9-6, in the quarterfinal of the Missouri Valley Tournament on Thursday May 12. 

The Bulldogs went on the board first in the bottom of the second when Aubree Beitzinger stole home after a game of chase between the Braves third baseman and catcher. 

In the top of the fourth, Grace French recorded a two RBI home run to give Bradley a 2-1 lead over the Bulldogs. Katie Pederson later singled to left field, allowing two to cross home plate and take a 4-1 lead. 

Mackenzie Hupke came into the circle with bases loaded and the Braves up 4-1. Camryn Monteer singled to first base, where Emily Valtman tagged her out to end the inning. 

The Bulldogs responded in the bottom half of the fourth inning when Delaney Taylor singled to first base, allowing Alexia Lara to score, making it a two run game. Addie Lightner helped tie the game 4-4 when she singled ot left field, allowing Haylee Lehman and MaKayla Rice to score. 

The Braves added a run in the fifth inning after Samantha Smith doubled, allowing French to score. 

Valtman was the fifth Bulldog to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two runners on and two outs, she slammed a ball over the right field fence to record a three RBI home run to give Drake a 7-5 lead. She recorded her 12th home run of the season and is the first Bulldog since Elena Leon (2009) to record 12 home runs in a season. 

Bradley made it a one run game in the top of the sixth, but the Bulldogs made sure it was the Braves last. Lara walked in the bottom of the sixth with bases loaded, allowing Lightner to score, making it a 8-6 game. 

Rice flied out to right field, bringing Libby Ryan across home plate and bringing the Bulldogs lead to three. 

Hupke faced five batters from the Bradley lineup in the top of the seventh, but none were able to get past the Bulldogs defense. 

Drake advances to the semi-final of the MVC tournament and will face No. 1 UNI at 11am on Friday May 13.