DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake softball team picked up a big-time conference win on Saturday afternoon as it defeated the Southern Illinois Salukis, 10-7, in dramatic fashion from Buel Field.
 
After being shutout in game one of Fridays doubleheader against SIU pitcher Brooklyn Danielson, the Bulldogs looked for a redo against the freshman on Saturday. Drake made quick work on that attempt and took a 2-0 lead over the Saluki's as fellow freshman Kiley Kindelspire launched a two-run home run to center field following a leadoff single by Frankie Rita.
 
In the third, the Saluki's fought back with a home run of their own. Maleah Blomenkamp made it a 2-1 contest with a leadoff solo shot. That was the only damage done in the inning, however, as Drake starting pitcher Ashlynn Sheets bounced back recording three consecutive outs.
 
The Bulldogs put an end to Danielson's day in the circle in their half of the third after Rita started the frame with a leadoff double. SIU called in Hailey Lucas from the bullpen, and she put an end to the Bulldog threat producing a pair of flyouts and strike out, leaving Rita stranded at second.
 
The momentum then shifted in favor of the Salukis over the next two innings. Hayden Kurtz tied the game at 4-4 in the fourth hitting a solo homer, which eventually led to SIU scoring four runs in the fifth to take the lead. SIU launched its third long ball of the day courtesy of a Sage Grann two-run shot, followed by an RBI base knock, and an RBI by Kurtz.
 
Now facing a 6-2 deficit, Drake had to come up with a response. The Bulldogs did just that and immediately reclaimed its lead with a five-run bottom of the fifth.
 
With two runners on and no outs, Tatum Aragon plated run number one of the frame with a base hit through the right side. Ava Husak kept the scoring going in the following at-bat legging out a fielder's choice while Kindelspire raced in from third. Following a fly out and a hit by pitch, the Bulldogs went to their bench for a pinch-hit situation with two runners back on base. Lydia Olejniczak was the named called and the junior delivered the biggest hit of the game turning on a pitch and sending it out over the left field wall for a three-run homer and giving the lead back to Drake, 7-6.
 
Peyton Driscoll was put into pitch for the Bulldogs and made quick work of the Salukis with a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, allowing the hot Bulldog bats to come to the plate again rather quickly. Drake's newfound momentum then carried over, and the Bulldogs plated three insurance runs to extend their lead.
 
The Bulldogs put themselves in good position thanks to some heads-up base running from Rita on a Kindelspire bunt attempt. With all the SIU infielders charging in to make a play on the ball, nobody was covering any of the bases and Rita kept on running all the way to third giving Drake runners on the corners. In the next at-bat Aragon laid down a bunt attempt, but a wild throw from Southern Illinois kept the play alive and allowed both Rita and Kindelspire to score with Aragon getting to third as the ball rolled all the way into the right field corner of the stadium. Aragon scored on the next play due to sacrifice fly off the bat of Husak.
 
Heading into the seventh leading 10-6, Drake needed just three outs to secure the win. SIU did put a run up on the board with another home run, a solo shot by Amanda Knutson, but Driscoll settled back in and retired the side.
 
The Bulldogs were led offensively by their No.1 and 2 hitters in the lineup, Rita and Kindelspire. Rita went 2-for-2 with a double, a pair of walks, and three runs scored, while Kindelspire tallied a 3-for-4 outing collecting a homer, two RBI, and three runs scored. From the circle, Driscoll earned her first win of the season in her 2.2 innings of relief work.
 
Drake will next take to the diamond on Tuesday, April 14 in a road doubleheader against in-state rival Northern Iowa. First pitch for game one from Cedar Falls is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after.