The Basics
After winning back-to-back series in Missouri Valley Conference play, the Drake University softball team turns its attention toward a tough pair of mid-week matchups. The Bulldogs will host rival UNI on Tuesday, April 9 and Missouri on Wednesday, April 10.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake currently sits at 16-15 overall and 4-5 in league play. The Bulldogs are coming off 2-1 series wins over Evansville at home and Illinois State on the road.
Drake Offensive Leaders
Emma Dighton | .354 avg, .972 ops, 35 hits, 8 doubles, 4 homeruns
MaKayla Rice | .342 avg, .914 ops, 25 hits, 6 triples, 16 runs
Abby Martin | .312 avg, .846 ops, 24 hits, 17 runs, 8 RBI
Addie Lightner | .309 avg, .728 ops, 30 hits, 19 RBI
Drake Pitching Leaders
Molly Hoekstra | 63.1 IP, 7-2 record, 3.76 era, 1.37 whip, 42 K
Jayme Scheck | 36 IP, 3-5 record, 5.25 era, 1.75 whip, 27 K
Scouting UNI
Drake will visit Murray State this weekend for a three-game set before a short trip to Cedar Falls for a rematch against UNI next Tuesday. The Panthers have dropped three of their last five games including two MVC matchups to Southern Illinois and Missouri State.
UNI Offensive Leaders
Alexis Pupillo | .337 avg, 1.284 ops, 29 hits, 32 RBI, 17 BB, 12 homeruns
Madison Parks | .316 avg, .969 ops, 25 hits, 19 runs, 32 BB, 15 RBI
UNI Pitching Leaders
Samantha Heyer | 82.1 IP, 9-5 record, 2.21 era, 1.12 whip, 7 CG, 106 K
Anna Wischnowski | 73.2 IP, 8-5 record, 3.99 era, 1.56 whip, 5 CG, 58 K
UNI is led by head coach Ryan Jacobs in his 17th year leading the Panthers. Jacobs has amassed a record of 482-350.
The all-time series between Drake and UNI is tied at 29 wins apiece. The Panthers have won the last nine meetings with Drake's last victory coming in 2021.
Scouting Missouri
The Tigers of Missouri are having a fantastic season with a 30-9 overall record. They haven't found quite as much success in the stellar Southeastern Conference, but still own a 5-6 league record. Mizzou is 1-2 over their last three contests.
Missouri Offensive Leaders
Jenna Laird | .379 avg, .941 ops, 44 hits, 41 runs, 22 RBI
Alex Honnold | .369 avg, 1.072 ops, 45 hits, 34 runs, 28 RBI, 4 homeruns
Kayley Lenger | .313 avg, .907, 21 hits, 22 runs, 4 doubles
Maddie Gallagher | .310 avg, .917 ops, 31 hits, 25 runs, 26 RBI
Missouri Pitching Leaders
Marissa McCann | 43.2 IP, 6-1 record, 1.92 era, 0.94 whip, 32 K
Cierra Harrison | 77 IP, 10-2 record, 2.00 era, 0.91 whip, 4 CG, 64 K
Laurin Krings | 91.2 IP, 9-6 record, 3.05 era, 1.31 whip, 7 CG, 79 K
Head coach Larissa Anderson is in her sixth season leading the Mizzou softball team. She is 199-106 in Columbia and 329-179 overall afer four previous seasons at Hofstra.
Drake and Missouri have faced off on 15 occasions in the teams' histories. Mizzou has won all 15 meetings. Tuesday's matchup will be the first between the two programs to take place in Des Moines.
Up Next
Drake will visit Murray State this weekend for a three-game set before a short trip to Cedar Falls for a rematch against UNI next Tuesday.
