The Basics
The Drake University softball team will hit the road this weekend for a challenging series at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. The Bulldogs will face off against the eighth-ranked hosts from Arkansas three times and the No. 19 Wildcats of Arizona twice from Friday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, Feb. 26.
About the Bulldogs
Drake will look to build upon a 2-3 opening weekend at the UNI-Dome Tournament. The Bulldogs began the year with a pair of wins over in-state rival Iowa State and suffered three non-conference losses to Omaha and South Dakota.
Drake was led by veterans
Aubree Beitzinger and
MaKayla Rice with batting averages over .400 and OPS rates over 1.092. Rice's play garnered an MVC Player of the Week nomination.
Elsewhere, former DMACC transfer
Emma Dighton earned an MVC Newcomer of the Week nomination after slugging a pair of home runs while senior pitcher
Mackenzie Hupke picked up an MVC Pitcher of the Week nod after giving up just one run and striking out eight batters in seven innings of action.
Scouting the Opposition
Drake will square off against a pair of major conference opponents this weekend. The Bulldogs' challenging slate will start with a matchup against Arizona on Friday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. Drake and Arizona will face off again on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. The Bulldogs have not beaten the Wildcats in eight previous meetings dating back to 2011.
The Bulldogs will then battle the hosts from Arkansas three times over the weekend with the first meeting coming on Friday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Drake's Arkansas trip will conclude with two more matchups against the Razorbacks on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Arkansas holds a 10-6 advantage in the all-time series with Drake. The Bulldogs' last win came in a 3-1 upset in 2019.
Where to Follow
Drake's games at the Razorback Invitational will not be televised. Fans looking to follow the Bulldogs this weekend can find updates on the team's Twitter feed (@DrakeSoftball) and tune Arkansas' live stats feed here.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will take the field down south again at the Blues City Classic in Memphis, Tenn. From March 3 to March 5.
