VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Drake University softball team (14-28, 7-13) completed their second-straight sweep away from home with a convincing 8-0 win over Valparaiso. The Bulldogs jumped on Valpo (8-33, 4-16) early and often in the five-inning victory.
 
Drake scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, started by a two-RBI single off the bat of Addie Lightner in the top of the first frame. Lightner's base knock brought both Emily Valtman and Haylee Lehman home.
 
Lehman continued Drake's attack in the next inning with an infield single that allowed Carey Koenig to scamper homer. Lehman later scored her second run of the game and Sami Miller collected her first in the same stanza when Valtman doubled to right center for two more.
 
In the third, Miller added to the scoresheet with a double of her own, this time down the left field line, that drove Skylar Rigby in.
 
Finally, in the fourth inning, Lightner delivered again with a double to right field that brought Aubree Beitzinger in. Rigby then joined the hit parade with a single to left center that sent Lightner back home.
 
Drake cruised to the 8-0 win not only behind their potent offense, but also on the right arm of ace pitcher Mackenzie Hupke. The Independence, Iowa native improved to 7-7 on the year with a complete game effort that included six strikeouts and just two hits allowed.
 
Valtman and Lightner led the Drake offense with two hits apiece while Lehman's two runs paced the Bulldogs on the bases. Lightner also topped the visitors' lineup with three runs driven in.
 
The Bulldogs will be back on the diamond on Tuesday, Apr. 25 in a matchup at UNI. Drake will look to notch their first win of the season over Panthers as UNI has won the two previous matchups.