PEORIA, Ill. – The Drake University softball team (9-22, 2-8) won their second-consecutive game this evening with a 7-2 decision at Bradley. The Bulldogs jumped out in front first and added some insurance runs later in the game to top the Braves (10-29, 2-10).
Drake began the night's scoring with a singular run in the top of the third inning when
Emma Dighton continued her hot streak and drove in leadoff hitter
Haylee Lehman. The Bulldogs continued their run in the next segment as
Skylar Rigby scampered home on a Bradley error.
Leading 2-0, the Bulldogs and Braves played a scoreless fifth frame before Drake added to their advantage. Rigby delivered another single to plate
Aubree Beitzinger. The Braves countered in the home half of the sixth with their first score of the game when Austin Comstock singled Kierston McKoy home.
Drake took their 3-1 lead into the seventh and finished with a crescendo of four more runs in the final stanza.
Emily Valtman drove in
Heidi Wheeler to open the inning before Beitzinger singled and
Addie Lightner doubled.
Bradely managed one final run in the home half of the seventh but could not mount a series comeback effort as the Bulldogs slammed the door and picked up their second MVC win of the season.
Lehman, Beitzinger, and Rigby all led the Bulldogs with two runs and two hits apiece while Lightner's two RBI topped the Drake roster in that category. Lehman was also the lone Bulldog to swipe a base, adding to her team-best total of 10 steals.
Mackenzie Hupke starred in the circle again for Drake, pitching 5.1 innings with eight strikeouts and just two walks allowed in her fourth win of the season.
Emma Dighton came on in relief for the final 1.2 frames and fanned a Brave hitter while collecting her second save of the year.
The Bulldogs and Braves will continue their three-game weekend series tomorrow afternoon with a 2 pm tilt in Peoria.
