DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake University softball team split the afternoon, 1-1, with Missouri State.
 
Drake 2, Missouri State 0
The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the third when Delaney Taylor singled to right field, bringing Macy Johnson who was at second across home plate, to lead 1-0.
 
Libby Ryan later singled to second base, allowing Addie Lightner to advance to third and Taylor to score due to an error by the Bears third base.
 
Missouri attempted to minimize the Bulldogs lead but were unable to get past Drake pitchers Nicole Timmons and Mackenzie Hupke. Timmons pitched for three innings and recorded three strikeouts. Hupke pitched the final four innings and recorded four strikeouts.
 
Missouri State 13, Drake 4
The Bears took a 3-0 lead in the first inning after three batters singled with the bases loaded.
 
The top of the second brought six more runs for Missouri State, as Steffany Dickerson recorded a three RBI home run, followed by Annie Mueller who recorded a solo home run.
 
The Bulldogs found their way onto the score board in the bottom of the third when Lightner came up to the plate. She smacked a grand slam to left field, bringing home Taylor, Macy Johnson, and Emily Valtman.
 
The Bears managed to increase the score by two more in the top of the fourth after two doubles brought two across home plate.
 
Molly Hoekstra and Emma Richards each recorded a strikeout in their time in the circle for Drake.
 
The two teams return to Buel Field on Saturday at 12pm for the final game of the series. Drake will celebrate senior day prior to first pitch.