Senior Jenna DeLong recorded a career-high 16 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over South Dakota in game one. DeLong pitched a complete game while allowing just three hits. Senior Erin Mollohan provided a huge boost at the plate, driving in two runs on a double in a four-run sixth inning for Drake. Junior Torey Craddock had two hits and an RBI, and also scored two runs in the game.
The blast of the day came in game two, with freshman Nicole Randel making her debut for the Bulldogs. Randel crushed a three-run home run over the right field wall and finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate. Her three-run bomb tied the game and set off another Drake rally in the sixth inning, with the Bulldogs collecting six runs in the frame to defeat North Dakota 7-3.
Senior Brynne Dordel earned the victory on the mound in game two, tossing seven innings and allowing just four hits. She also reached double-digits in strikeouts, ending the game with 11.
Mollohan also went 3-for-4 against North Dakota. Sophomore shortstop Macie Silliman drove in two runs.
Both Drake pitchers earned postseason MVC honors last spring. DeLong received all-MVC first team honors, while Dordel made the second team and garnered all-MVC tournament accolades.
The Bulldogs took on Wisconsin-Green Bay and Texas-El Paso on Sunday. The Times-Delphic will have details from those results in Thursday’s issue.
