DES MOINES, Iowa – Offense was at a premium at Ron Buel Field on Tuesday afternoon as the Drake Bulldog softball team scratched out a 2-1 victory over Western Illinois. The win halted a five-game losing streak for Drake (11-13, 0-3) and marked the start of the Bulldogs' home slate.
 
Western Illinois (12-16, 2-4) struck first in the top of the first. Previous Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week Bella Alvarez started a two-out rally with a double to the right field corner. Maria Luna, the very next batter, promptly singled to drive Alvarez home and give WIU a 1-0 lead.
 
The scoring came to a screeching halt after the first half as both teams failed to bring anyone across for the next five frames. The Bulldogs and Leathernecks combined to leave 12 runners on base in the game.
 
Drake eventually turned to their hottest bat of the day in right fielder Skylar Rigby to come through. The Huxley, Iowa native procured a 3-for-3 day with two important RBI, her first of the season.
 
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Addie Lightner singled through the left side. Her pinch runner, Lydia Olejniczak, was moved over by an Abby Martin sacrifice bunt. Carey Koenig then singled and stole second to get two runners into scoring position. Rigby stepped up and singled to left, deep enough to drive both runner home and take a 2-1 lead.
 
Molly Hoekstra, who started and went the distance for Drake, nipped any ideas of a Leatherneck rally with a brief seventh frame to secure the 2-1 result.
 
Rigby's game-best 3-for-3 line included a triple. Frankie Rita logged a bunt single for the Bulldogs. Olejniczak and Koenig scored the two Drake runs.
 
Hoekstra improved to 4-1 on the season after her complete game victory. She struck out five Leathernecks and allowed five hits while giving up just one earned run.
 
The Bulldogs will continue their homestand this weekend with a visit from Valparaiso from Mar. 22-24.