The Bulldogs played the University of Texas at Arlington twice on Saturday. They beat them once, but not when it mattered the most.
Host UTA defeated the Bulldogs in the semi-finals of the UTA Tournament with a 3-2 victory. Earlier that day, the Bulldogs had defeated the Mavericks 3-2 to earn a spot in the semi-finals.
In game one, the Mavericks took an early 2-0 advantage. But senior Torrey Craddock responded with a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Bulldogs all they needed.
Craddock finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and a stolen base. Sophomore Amy Pierce went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Sophomore Jordan Gronewold earned her second win of the season. Gronewold allowed two runs and four hits in four innings to go with two strikeouts.
Freshman Rebekah Schmidt registered her first save of the season with three score-less innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three.
In the semi-final match, it was the Mavericks once again jumping to the early lead. UTA chased Gronewold out of the game with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning.
The Bulldogs were not able to get anything going until late in the game. After an unearned run gave UTA a 3-0 lead in the top of the seventh, freshman Haley Nybo blasted a two-run shot to bring the Bulldogs within a run. But the Bulldogs were retired in order shortly afterwards.
Gronewold was tagged with her four loss of the season as the Bulldogs dropped their record to 4-7.
On Friday, Drake erupted in its tournament opener against Arkansas Pine Bluff with a 16-4 victory. The Bulldogs recorded 18 hits and were led by freshman Sarah Ryan, who finished with three hits and three RBI. Sophomore Nicole Randel also joined in with a grand slam in the fifth inning. Six Bulldogs collected at least two hits.
In their second game on Friday, the Bulldogs dropped a 3-2 nail-biter in extra-innings against Houston Baptist.
Gronewold, who pitched all nine innings, allowed a run at the top of the seventh inning, allowing Houston Baptist to stay alive. Houston Baptist scored in the top of the ninth inning to claim the victory.
Junior Lindsay Vande Wal went 2-for-3 with a solo shot for Drake and Pierce recorded a pair of hits and a stolen base for the Bulldogs.
Gronewold allowed two earned runs and struck out five as she went the distance.
The Bulldogs capped off their tournament play with the UTA Tournament consolation game yesterday. Details from the match will be in the next edition of The Times-Delphic.
Drake will travel next weekend to Arkansas for the Woo Pig Classic.
