SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake University softball team (6-16, 0-3) finished their opening weekend of MVC play with a 3-0 loss at Missouri State (12-15, 3-2). The Lady Bears' win completed the three-game sweep for Missouri State and marked Drake's sixth-straight loss.
The Lady Bears plated two early runs in the first and second innings. Alex Boze grounded out in the first frame to bring Abby Ford, the Lady Bears' leadoff hitter, home. Ford then delivered Missouri State's second run with a second-inning RBI to plate Kelsie Lewis.
Both teams then battled through three scoreless innings until Missouri State produced their final insurance run. Pinch hitter McKayla Carney singled through the right side to bring Annie Mueller home.
Gracie Johnston went all seven innings in the circle and earned the win for the Lady Bears with five K's and just two hits and two walks allowed.
Addie Lightner and
Aubree Beitzinger recorded Drake's only two hits of the afternoon and both went 1-for-3 on the day.
Haylee Lehman and
Kristen Arias also reached safely with one walk apiece.
Jayme Scheck, now 1-2, took the loss for Drake with just 0.1 innings that included three walks, a hit, and a run allowed.
Mackenzie Hupke had a solid showing with 5.2 innings of relief work with seven strikeouts.
The Bulldogs will conclude their tour of the Show Me State with a mid-week matchup at Missouri. Drake heads to Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Mar. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
