DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University softball team could not keep up with a free-swinging Evansville squad in their series finale on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Aces overcame a narrow early deficit to sprint past Drake, 7-2.
 
The Bulldogs looked to be in control early on as Emma Dighton doubled to left. Her two-bagger allowed MaKayla Rice to come home as Drake went up, 1-0.
 
That lead did not last long, however, as Evansville plated two of their own in the top of the second with a two-RBI double. Drake struck back with a third-inning Destiny Lewis single that scored Carey Koenig and evened the tally at 2 apiece.
 
That was the end of Drake's offensive output as the Purple Aces swung momentum back in their direction for good. Another double and a Zoe Frossard triple brought three more Aces' runs home in the fourth. Taylor Howe eventually provided the final blow when she lofted a deep drive into a firm tailwind for a two-run homer over the left field fence. Evansville went on to win, 7-2.
 
Rice and Koenig's runs were the only two scored by the Bulldogs. Dighton and Lewis recorded the only two RBI as well.
 
Molly Hoekstra started and suffered the pitching loss, dropping her record to 8-2. She threw three innings and struck out three while giving up five runs. Paige Bedsworth and Dighton each saw two innings of relief work in the circle.
 
Drake will look to bounce back with a pair of important mid-week matchups. The Bulldogs are set to host rival UNI on Tuesday, April 9 and non-conference foe Missouri on Wednesday, April 10.