The Basics
The Bulldogs are back on the diamond this week with four games. Drake begins its week on the road with a non-conference contest against Western Illinois on Tuesday followed by its home opening weekend with a series against conference foe Indiana State.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs come into the week with an overall record of 8-19 after dropping two of three against Bradley last weekend. In the early portion of conference play, the Bulldogs own a record of 1-5. Against non-conference opponents, Drake is 7-14.
As a team, the Bulldogs are hitting at a clip of .235 with 76 runs scored on the year. Freshman
Ava Curry continues to lead the Bulldogs slashing .359/.438/.488. Meanwhile, Carey Koening collected her third home run of the season in Drake's 4-2 victory over Bradley this past weekend.
In the circle,
Molly Hoekstra has logged the most innings for the Bulldogs pitching staff with 60.2 over her 16 appearances, eight of which have been starts. She also leads the team in strikeouts with 37.
Paige Bedsworth, who was mainly been used as a reliever, posts an ERA of 1.47 and is holding opponents to a hitting clip of .181.
Scouting Western Illinois
The Leathernecks have faced a difficult start to their 2025 campaign with an overall record of 6-21. WIU comes into the week riding an eight-game losing streak and boasts an 0-5 record in home games.
Malia Robertson has had the hot bat at the plate for the Leathernecks hitting at a clip of .403 in 23 games played to lead the team. In total Western Illinois has five players hitting over .300 on the season and Payton Brown provides some pop with her .303 average, seven homers, and 19 RBI.
Western Illinois' pitching staff has seen seven players step inside the circle, but Lillie Wools has been the main arm making 16 appearances with nine starts. Wools has an ERA of 4.80 through this point in the season to go along with 19 strikeouts.
Scouting Indiana State
While Indiana State only boasts an overall record of 9-19, the Sycamores will come to Des Moines with some confidence after sweeping Murray State last weekend. Indiana State will host Ball Sate in a midweek non-conference game on Tuesday before making the trip to Des Moines.
Brailey Mills has been a consistent threat at the plate for the Sycamores in 2025 batting .300 in 22 games, including 15 hits, 10 runs scored, one double, one triple, and six RBIs. Lauren Marsicek has been a consistent presence in Indiana State's lineup as well, hitting .299 in 27 games, totaling 20 hits, six doubles, and seven RBIs.
From a pitching perspective, Hailey Griffin leads Indiana State with a 2.41 ERA in 14 appearances with 12 starts. In 69.2 innings of work, Griffin has racked up 64 strikeouts compared to 23 walks and is holding opponents to a .188 hitting clip.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will have a packed week with a road game against in-state rival UNI on April 1, followed by a home doubleheader against South Dakota April 2. Over the weekend, April 4-6, Drake is slated to host Illinois State for a three-game series.
