NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Drake softball team (16-30, 9-15) captured their third-straight road series with a Sunday win over Belmont (24-23, 9-14). The Bulldogs came back from an early deficit to secure the victory over the Bruins.

Belmont looked solid early with a three-run third inning as Emily Cockrill and Kristen Green both doubled for the Bruins to get the scoring started. Ally Turner added another run when she scuttled home on a Drake error.

Trailing 3-0 after three, Drake started to put together their comeback. In the fourth frame, Skylar Rigby scored on a Belmont error before a Carey Koenig single plated Sami Miller. The Bulldogs went on to score another six runs between the fifth and sixth innings including another Bruin error, another Koenig single, an Emily Valtman double, and an Emma Dighton single.

Belmont managed another run in the bottom of the sixth on a Drake fielding error but could not climb back into contention as the Bulldogs held on for the 8-4 win, sealing back-to-back wins for the fifth time this season.

Valtman went a perfect 3-for-3 with a run, a walk, and an RBI. Both Dighton and Koenig added two hits apiece while Sami Miller joined Valtman with a pair of runs.

Three pitchers saw time in the circle as Mackenzie Hupke started and Paige Bedsworth went a combined 5.2 innings. Emma Dighton came on as the third arm for the Bulldogs and earned the win, her seventh of the season, after 1.1 innings of work and two strikeouts.

Drake will return to the state of Iowa for their next contest when they visit Iowa State on Wednesday, May 3