CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Drake Bulldog softball team traveled to Cedar Falls this evening for a meeting with rival UNI. The MVC-leading Panthers (23-11, 12-1) scored early and often en route to a 9-1 victory over Drake (11-23, 4-9).
 
UNI plated three runs in both the first and second innings to take a commanding early lead. Alexis Pupillo homered in the bottom of the opening frame before Mya Dodge spanked a double to the gap. Madison Parks got UNI back on the board in the second stanza followed by another home run, this time off the bat of Dodge.
 
Trailing 6-0, Drake scraped their first run of the game across in top of the third inning when Emily Valtman flied out to center and sacrificed Miller home.
 
The Panthers added to their lead in the third inning with another double then eventually reached the 9-1 final on a Pupillo long ball, the hosts' third of the game.
 
Emma Dighton led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-for-3 on the evening. Sami Miller scored the lone run of the game for Drake and went 1-for-2 at the dish. Emily Valtman logged the only RBI for the Bulldogs.
 
Mackenzie Hupke regressed back to the .500 mark after taking the loss. The senior hurler went 3.1 innings with three strikeouts and six walks before Emma Richards came on in relief.
 
Drake will have a quick turnaround as they host Iowa tomorrow evening in a rescheduled matchup. The Bulldogs and Hawkeyes will get things going at 5 p.m. in Des Moines.