STILLWATER, Okla. – Drake softball's weekend in Oklahoma came to an end on Sunday afternoon with a 9-1 defeat. The Bulldogs could not muster much offense against a top-15 Oklahoma State squad as the Cowgirls earned the win in a 6-inning affair.
 
The Cowgirls (13-4) got four runs in the bottom of the first inning via two homers, a 2-run blast and solo shot, and a single. Drake (4-10) was able to inch closer in the next frame as Heidi Wheeler singled Lydia Olejniczak home, but that proved to be the Bulldogs' lone run of the game.
 
Oklahoma State eventually brought five more runs across with a two in their half of the second stanza and three more in the bottom of the sixth to reach the 8-run difference.
 
Wheeler, Ava Curry, and Frankie Rita logged the Bulldogs' three hits while Carey Koenig walked twice. Overall, Drake left 10 runners on base while Oklahoma State stranded only four.
 
Paige Bedsworth started in the circle for Drake and pitched allowed the first four runs on four hits and a walk while taking the loss. She was pulled before the end of the first inning in favor of Molly Hoekstra, who went five innings in relief.
 
Drake will be on the road again next weekend at the Kansas City Roos Invitational. The Bulldogs will battle Summit League foes Kansas City and St. Thomas over a 5-game stretch from Mar. 7-9.