The Drake softball team is gearing up to start play at the 2024 MVC Tournament in Normal, Ill., hosted by the Illinois State Redbirds. The Bulldogs will be taking on the Evansville Purple Aces in the first round on Wednesday, May 8, at 2 PM, on ESPN+. The original Wednesday schedule was moved up due to forecasted rain in the Normal area. 

 

The Bulldogs are coming off a power-packed loss against Iowa State in their non-conference finale and a 2-1 series win over Belmont at home last weekend. Drake earned the No. 7 seed in the upcoming tournament. Drake leads the all-time series with Evansville by a 38-16 margin. 

 

Drake Offensive Leaders 

Emma Dighton I .957 ops, .342 avg, 51 hits, 5 home runs, 24 RBI 

McKayla Rice I .840 ops, .333 avg, 45 hits, 1 home run, 14 RBI 

Destiny Lewis I 1.016 ops, .311 avg, 33 hits, 8 home runs, 29 RBI 

 

Molly Hoekstra I 1.39 whip, 2.88 ERA, 121.1 IP, 13-6 record, 76 SO 

Jayme Scheck I 1.65 whip, 5.09 ERA, 66.0 IP, 3-7 record, 37 SO 

 

The No. 10 seed Aces are riding a five-game losing streak going into this game after Illinois State swept them in a three-game series and Missouri State handed UE two other prior losses.  

 

Evansville Offensive Leaders 

Zoe Frossard I .783 ops, .293 avg, 140 times at bat, 41 hits, 13 RBI 

Jess Willsey I .759 ops, .291 avg, 44 hits, 4 home runs, 23 RBI 

Brooke Voss I .814 ops, .284 avg, 38 hits, 6 home runs, 18 RBI 

 

Sydney Weatherford I 1.41 whip, 3.04 ERA, 7-9 record, 106.0 IP, 26 SO 

Megan Brenton I 2.09 whip, 5.50 ERA, 6-8 record, 77.2 IP, 53 SO 

 

Up Next 

With a win, Drake would advance to the second round of the MVC Tournament for a date with No. 2 UNI. The Bulldogs would be seeking their first win over UNI this season as the Panthers swept all three previous meetings.