CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Drake softball completed their season series with their rival from Cedar Falls, the UNI Panthers (31-11, 20-1). The Panthers continued their dominance in MVC play with an 11-2 win over Drake (14-29, 7-14).
 
After a scoreless first inning, UNI got the scoring started in the home half of the second with a Sammy Moss single. They came back again in the third and plated another three runs to go up 4-0. Kylee Sanders homered, and Mya Dodge belted a double to add to UNI's lead in the third stanza.
 
Drake was able to muster a short comeback effort in the next half inning to cut the deficit to just two runs. Aubree Beitzinger singled home Emily Valtman before Emma Dighton scored on a Skylar Rigby single.
 
UNI halted the Bulldogs' run and immediately got back in the scoring column. Brooke Snider homered in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead up to three runs.
 
The Panthers eventually broke things open in the bottom of the fifth, promptly ending the game after a Moss single and a Dodge grand slam to reach the 11-2 final tally.
 
Emma Dighton and Aubree Beitzinger led Drake at the dish with two hits apiece. While Dighton and Emily Valtman tallied Drake's two runs.
 
Molly Hoekstra started and took the loss for Drake, falling to 0-4 on the season after striking out four Panthers and giving up four hits and five runs in 2.1 innings. Jayme Scheck came on in relief to toss 3.1 frames of her own.
 
The Bulldogs will continue their road stretch this weekend with their first-ever meeting with Belmont. Drake and the Bruins will battle in a three-game series from Apr. 28-30.