The Basics
The Drake softball team hikes into the Rocky Mountains this weekend for a 5-game stint at the Rams Invitational from Mar. 7-9. Drake will battle South Dakota State, Northern Colorado, and host Colorado State as part of their westward travels.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake enters this weekend with an overall record of 4-10. The Bulldogs have lost their last nine contests including their four most recent bouts against Wichita State, Miami (OH), and Missouri at the Mizzou Invitational.
True freshman
Kiley Kindelspire leads a fivesome of .300-plus hitters for the Bulldogs. She is currently batting .375 with 10 RBI, just one behind team leaders
Tatum Aragon and
Natalee Watts. Both Aragon (.318) and Watts (.306) are also among the Bulldogs' top sluggers along with
Frankie Rita (.343) and
Pearson Hall (.302).
Jayme Scheck has been the ace on staff among Drake pitchers thus far. She has posted an earned run average of 4.20 with 18.1 innings pitched and 11 strikeouts.
Peyton Driscoll has fanned the most opposing hitters (12) while
Ashlynn Sheets and Scheck both own 2-3 records.
Scouting the Competition
Drake and South Dakota State will square off twice this weekend including the tournament opener on Mar. 7 at noon. The Jackrabbits are currently 12-9 overall but riding a losing streak of their own at five games. SDSU's last win came over IU Indy on Feb. 21. The Jackrabbits will be at No. 5 Nebraska on Mar. 5 before heading to the mountains. Amanda Vacanti has been a force for South Dakota State this season, hitting a team best .490 and seven homers. Hailey Herman has posted the best win-loss record in the circle at 3-1 while Madi Mangulis' 4.09 ERA is tops on the team.
Northern Colorado is currently 8-12 this year with two losses to Colorado State in its last outing. The Bears beat Creighton on Feb. 28 for their last victory. UNC and Drake will face off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Bears also boast a .400-plus hitter in Amailee Morales who is batting .443 so far. Anna Wilming leads the Northern Colorado pitching corps with two complete games, a 5-2 record, and a 4.23 earned run average.
Tournament host Colorado State is the only team not on a losing streak heading into this weekend's action. The Rams have won their last five including four combined wins over Northern Colorado and Creighton. Lauren Stucky (.393) and Kyra Smith (.323) pace the Rams' offensive lineup while Reagan Wick heads the arms race with a 2.18 ERA, six complete games, and 39 strikeouts.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back in Des Moines for their home opener on Mar. 11 with a non-conference double-header. Drake is set to host St. Thomas with games slated for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Ron Buel Field.
