NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Drake softball (15-30, 8-15) cruised to a 9-4 victory earlier today against the Belmont Bruins (24-22, 9-13) in the second game of their series with the MVC newcomer.
The Bulldogs got busy early, scoring a run in the first inning when Emily Valtman came home on an RBI groundout off the bat of Aubree Beitzinger. The Bruins matched Drake with a run of their own in the first frame with a Kailey Brown solo shot home run.

Drake proceeded to break the game open in the third, mustering five runs in the inning. Emma Dighton plated Haylee Lehman on an RBI single before Addie Lightner bunted to score Valtman on a squeeze. Carey Koenig capped the visitors' half of the third with a three-run homer to bring empty the bags. The Dogs led 6-1 after three.

Attempting to keep pace with Drake, Belmont scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Kristen Green reached safely on a fielder's choice, scoring Abi Ledbetter. Brenna Blume then singled through the left side to score Nicole Hughes. The Bulldogs cut down Savannah Halterman on the play while she was attempting to score from second.

An inning later, in the fourth, Paige Bedsworth tacked on another run on a throwing error by Belmont's catcher.

In the sixth inning, Sami Miller walked with the bases loaded to bring Dighton back home, extending the Bulldog lead to 8-3. Belmont answered with a run in the bottom of the stanza, capitalizing on a wild pitch that allowed Ally Turner to score.

Molly Hoekstra eventually provided an insurance run for Drake, scoring MaKayla Rice on a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The Bulldogs went on to win 9-4.

Dighton hurled five innings in relief for Drake, allowing only four hits and one earned run. Bedsworth started, going two innings and giving up three scores, three walks, and a pair of hits.

Drake will look to take the series against Belmont tomorrow at noon.