CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Drake softball (2-1) picked up a pair of victories on Saturday during the second day of the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic. The Bulldogs began the morning with a 10-2 demolition of Western Illinois (0-4) before storming back to defeat Butler 8-6.
Drake 10, Western Illinois 2
Western Illinois drew first blood with an RBI single in the first inning that was matched by the Bulldogs.
Destiny Lewis reached safely on a fielder's choice in the home half of the frame to knot the score at 1-1.
The Leathernecks temporarily regained their lead in the third inning before the Bulldogs began their onslaught.
Allie Bishoff reached on an error that plated
Carey Koenig.
Abby Martin doubled to right field to score two runs.
Skylar Rigby brough
Destiny Lewis home on a sacrifice before Martin was brought in by
Addie Lightner. Finally, Bishoff came through again to cap off the third inning with two more RBI.
Drake added another couple scores in the fifth frame, eventually closing out the 10-2 mercy rule win with a Koenig double and Bishoff single.
Koenig led Drake at the dish with a 3-for-3 outing while Bishoff's two hits garnered four RBI.
Jayme Scheck threw a complete game for the victory while striking out two Leathernecks and allowing just two runs.
Drake 8, Butler 6
Drake turned right around and played the very next contest in the UNI-Dome, a much more competitive affair with Butler (1-3). The two Pioneer Football League rivals battled in a back-and-forth contest as Butler led 2-1 after the first inning. Drake's initial run was provided by an
Emma Dighton solo blast, her first home run of the season.
Head coach Lindsay Diehl's squad jumped out in front with a big second inning with four runs coming across. Koenig drove one in on a walk, Bishoff added to her spectacular day with a double and Dighton drove in another on a ground out.
Drake led 5-2 until Butler managed three of their own in the third inning. Both sides added another run apiece in the fifth frame.
Tied at 5,
Destiny Lewis gave the Dogs the boost they needed in the sixth inning with her first homer as a Drake athlete. Her two-run shot brought the tally to 8-6, the eventual final score.
Bishoff went 3-for-4 with two more runs driven in in the Saturday finale. Indian Hills transfer
Abby Martin scored a pair of runs while going 3-for-3 at the dish.
Molly Hoekstra started in the circle for Drake but took a no decision after four full innings with three K's.
Paige Bedsworth got the win in relief.
Drake will finish their opening weekend tomorrow with a battle against Northern Illinois at 11:30 a.m. and a rematch with Omaha at 2 p.m.
