TUCSON, Ariz. – Drake softball (4-2) began their second invitational tournament of the season with a battle against the No. 22 Wildcats of Arizona (11-1). Both teams punctuated the contest with a combined nine runs in the final 2 1/2 innings as Arizona survived the Bulldogs' scare.
 
Both teams maneuvered through four scoreless innings until the Wildcats struck first. Carlie Scupin broke the scoreless tie with a three-run bomb to deep right-center field to give Arizona a 3-0 advantage. Olivia DiNardo added to the Wildcats' productive fifth inning with a solo shot homer as the hosts went back-to-back.
 
Arizona added another two runs in the sixth inning when Tayler Biehl scored on an error after a Jasmine Perezchica bunt. Perezchica was later driven in on a Dakota Kennedy sacrifice fly.
 
The Bulldogs went to the top half of the seventh with their backs against the wall and just three outs at their disposal. Addie Lightner started Drake's comeback effort with a single up the middle to plate Abby Martin. An Emily Valtman double allowed Ellie Lynch to sprint around the bases and eventually scored on one of Arizona's two errors on the night.
 
Molly Hoekstra added to the Dogs' come-from-behind push with a double down the third base line. Valtman came home on the base knock.
 
Drake could not dig any deeper after Hoekstra's RBI as the Bulldogs' luck ran out and Arizona secured the 6-3 win.
 
Lightner put together a 1-for-3 evening with an RBI while Hoekstra went 1-for-1 with a run driven across in a pinch-hit situation. Martin and Valtman each went 1-for-3 and scored a run.
 
Jayme Scheck (1-1) took the loss in the circle, her first of the season, while throwing 4.2 innings and striking out two Wildcats. Paige Bedsworth came on in relief for 1.1 frames.
 
The Bulldogs will continue play at the Hillenbrand Invitational tomorrow with two more non-conference matchups. Drake is set to battle Central Michigan at noon and Marshall at 2 p.m.