CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Drake softball squad wrapped up their first conference series of the year today with a tilt at Southern Illinois. The Bulldogs (10-13, 0-3) could not keep up with a persistent Saluki offense as SIU (20-4, 5-0) won 8-0.
 
Anna Carder of SIU set the tone for the day with a grand slam in the first. The score sat at 4-0 until the fifth inning when SIU got two more runs on an error and a double.
 
The Salukis ended things in the bottom of the sixth when Addi Baker scampered home on a passed ball and Elizabeth Warwick doubled to bring Erin Lee across.
 
Drake managed just two hits in Sunday's contest as MaKayla Rice and Skylar Rigby both went 1-for-3. Rice also stole a base for the Bulldogs.
 
Emma Richards started for the Bulldogs and threw just one inning. Emma Dighton came on in relief and took the loss after 4.2 innings and a K.
 
The Bulldogs will start their home schedule this week with a Tuesday afternoon affair against Western Illinois on Mar. 19. Their MVC slate then continues Mar. 22-24 with a home series against Valpo.