The Basics: 
Drake will finish their regular season campaign with a series against UIC at home this weekend. The three-game set will begin on Friday, May 5 and end on Sunday, May 7. 
 
About the Bulldogs
Emma Dighton and Emily Valtman have been steady producers in the Bulldogs lineup this season. Dighton is hitting .313 with a .923 OPS, both team-high marks. Dighton has also slugged seven home runs, which is tied for eighth-most in the MVC.
 
Valtman has caught fire recently, collecting nine hits in her last seven games. She went 3-for-3 at the plate in a victory against Belmont (4/30). She also smashed a home run in the recent series against Valparaiso, bringing her season total to three home runs. MaKayla Rice has also been a steady Bulldog bat, hitting .278 with 12 stolen bases on the season. 
 
Mackenzie Hukpe has been reliable in the circle all season for the Bulldogs. She currently holds a 2.80 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP on the season. She has set down 136 batters on strikes, good for fourth in the MVC. Hupke has also collected some hardware, being named the MVC Pitcher of the Week (4/25). 
 
Scouting the Competition
Drake is slated to play UIC on Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 at noon. All three games will be played at Buel Field in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
UIC is second to last in the MVC and they have an overall record of 6-41 on the season. They are 5-19 in conference play. Despite their season woes, UIC is coming into Des Moines riding a hot streak as they've won five of their last seven games. 
 
Drake and UIC have only faced each other once in all time, with UIC securing a 4-3 victory. The Flames' victory came in 2020. 
 
Up Next
The softball championship tournament begins on Wednesday, May 10. The tournament will be held at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.