PEORIA, Ill. – Drake softball finished its weekend series at rival Bradley on Saturday with a double-header. The Bulldogs and Braves split the day's action with Drake taking the first matchup and Bradley earning the series win with a victory in the nightcap.
Drake 4, Bradley 2
The Dogs started their scoring early in Saturday's first installment as an
Emma Dighton sacrifice fly and
Frankie Rita fielder's choice allowed two Bulldog runs to come across in the top of the first inning.
Bradley answered with an RBI single in their half of the second and a solo shot home run in the third to even the tally, but the Bulldogs were not done yet.
Carey Koenig came through in the clutch with a fourth-inning sac fly of her own to plate
Sami Miller and gain a little separation on the scoreboard. Koenig dug back in as the sixth frame rolled around and delivered a deep blast. Koenig's long ball left the yard and added another run for Drake, making it 4-2 in favor of the visitors. That score held over the final stanza as the Bulldogs evened series with the dub.
Five Bulldogs recorded one hit in the first game. Koenig's pair of RBI led the team in that category.
Paige Bedsworth came on in relief to throw 4.1 innings and strike out four Braves. Bedsworth improved to 3-1 on the year with the pitching win.
Bradley 4, Drake 1
Both teams were tentative to score in the second game of the day as neither squad scratched a run across until at least the fourth inning. Bradley struck first with a 3-run home run to grab a comfortable lead in the fourth. The Braves added another in the next inning with a single down the left field line.
Trailing 4-0, Drake eventually got one back as
Frankie Rita delivered a single to center. Rita's base knock allowed
Ava Curry to come home, but that was all the offense Drake could muster as the Braves held on for the 4-1 result.
Drake again had five players with one hit in the second contest. Curry recorded the only run thanks to Rita's lone RBI. Curry and
Emma Dighton both walked twice in the series finale.
Peyton Driscoll started and took the loss in the circle. She saw 4.1 innings of work with a strikeout and two walks.
Jayme Scheck hurled the last 1.2 innings with a strikeout of her own.
The Bulldogs are set for a busy week with a trip to Western Illinois on Mar. 25 before returning to Des Moines to open their home slate. Drake will host Indiana State in MVC play from Mar. 28-30.
