CARBONDALE, Ill. – Drake softball could not orchestrate another comeback this afternoon as the Bulldogs (10-12, 2-0) took their second loss to Southern Illinois (19-4, 4-0) in as many days.
 
The second game in this weekend's series started similarly to the first, with both teams struggling to find an offensive flow. The two squads played through two scoreless innings until SIU struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Elizabeth Warwick homered to left with the bases empty to take the first lead. Rylie Hamilton added another Saluki score in the same frame as the hosts took a 2-0 lead.
 
Drake bounced back in the next half with retaliation on the mind. The Bulldogs were able to scrape a run across on an Addie Lightner sacrifice bunt. MaKayla Rice scored what would be Drake's only run of the game on that play.
 
Neither team could produce any further as offense was at a premium on Saturday. Southern Illinois held on for the eventual 2-1 victory.
 
Rice led the Drake bats, going 2-for-3 with a triple. Molly Hoekstra suffered her first loss of the season as she threw all six innings and sat down a trio of Salukis via strikeout.
 
The Bulldogs' skid now sits at four games. They will stay in Carbondale for the series finale starting at noon tomorrow.