Story by Ashley Beall
Photo by Joel Venzke
The Drake softball team finished its three-game series against Missouri State this weekend with a win Sunday afternoon, 3-2.
Junior Rebekah Schmidt continued to step up for the Bulldogs. She relieved Jordan Gronewold in the circle. Schmidt is now 9-10.
Schmidt had to work out several jams. In the seventh inning, the Bears had the tying run on second base with only one out. Schmidt was able to get the Bulldogs out of the inning, though.
Schmidt’s consistency in these last few games has been the key reason for the Bulldogs’ success.
The Bears scored in the first inning off a field error, and Heather Duckworth hit a double to right field, scoring a run. This was the third time the Bears scored in the first inning in this series.
The Bulldogs also had leadership from senior Liz Buck. She had the key play of the game with a two-RBI single in the fourth inning. Another run scored and enabled the Bulldogs to get the win.
The Bulldogs continue to show their improvement, and this game put Drake at 10-23 overall and 3-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play. This was the Bulldogs’ first series win this season. Missouri State is now 4-5 in the Valley.
The Bears were led by Jessie Van Es in the circle for the first two-and-one-third innings and had four strikeouts and no walks. Chelsea Jones pitched the final four-and-two-thirds innings for the Bears and had three strikeouts and only allowed one hit.
Drake faced Iowa State yesterday at Ron Buel Field and travels to Evansville this weekend for a three-game series.
