DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake softball team (8-22, 1-8) capped their marathon weekend with another extra inning matchup against Murray State (21-14, 6-4). The Bulldogs were able to outlast the Racers in a 14-inning affair, the longest game of the weekend and the season, and earn their first MVC win of the season.
 
Offense was at a premium from the jump in the series finale between Drake and Murray State. The Bulldogs got a runner into scoring position in the bottom of the first, but could not drive her in. Murray State followed suit in the top of the second inning.
 
The Racers again got a runner in scoring position in the fourth frame when Jadyn Thompson reached on an error and Lindsey Carroll singled her over. Murray State was again just 60 feet from scoring in the seventh inning when Shelby Durbin came on as a pinch runner in place of Taylor Jackson. Durbin was held there by one of Mackenzie Hupke's 13 strikeouts and a pop up.
 
The defensive trend continued over the next several innings as one or both teams put runners aboard in the ninth, tenth, 11th, 12th, and 13th frames. Pitching and defense still held firm for both squads through 13 innings of action.
 
Finally, in the bottom of the 14th, Emma Dighton stepped to the plate for the Bulldogs. After coming in to relieve Hupke's herculean effort in the circle, Dighton took matters into her own hands. She belted the first pitch of the at bat over the left center fence for her team-high fifth home run of the season.
 
Dighton also earned the pitching win after relieving Hupke, going 1.1 innings with a K. Her RBI and run scored were the only such stats of the game for either team.
 
Hupke dominated for Drake, throwing the first 12.2 innings and striking out 13 on 196 pitches. Her 13 K's marked a new career high.
 
Aubree Beitzginer went 2-for-5 while Emily Valtman went 3-for-6. Carey Koenig logged a double in four at bats for Drake.
 
The Bulldogs will host in-state rival Iowa on Tuesday, Apr. 4 for their next outing.