DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake softball picked up a key conference victory earlier this afternoon with a 9-3 win over Belmont. The Bulldogs used an eight-run third inning to even the final regular season series of the 2024 campaign.
 
MaKayla Rice got the Dogs going in the second stanza with an RBI single to right center that brough Carey Koenig around. The Bruins (30-18) matched in their half of the third with a single of their own.
 
Drake (22-25) took no time in jumping back in front and did so in a major way. Koenig started a busy bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly before Addie Lightner singled in two more. Frankie Rita continued the rally with another single before Emma Dighton doubled. Abby Martin added the final blow of the frame with another one-bagger as Drake's lead ballooned to 9-1. The Bulldogs' eight runs in the third mirrored their single-inning high this season.
 
Belmont attempted to spark two more rallies over the next two innings with a lone run in both the fourth and fifth innings, but the Drake advantage was too steep. Jayme Scheck came on in relief and slammed the door to give Drake the 9-3 result.
 
Emma Dighton led the Drake offense with a 3-for-4 outing including a pair of hits and RBI. Dighton and Abby Martin doubled. Martin was one of three Bulldogs to go 2-for-4 along with MaKayla Rice and Frankie Rita. Addie Lightner went 2-3 but also drove in multiple runs.
 
In the circle, Emma Richards started and earned the win for the Bulldogs, improving her record to 2-1. She tossed 3.1 innings and struck out just one in the victory.
 
Drake and Belmont will conclude their series tomorrow at Ron Buel Field. The Bulldogs will recognize their 2024 Senior Class prior to first pitch at noon.