JUNIOR ERIN MOLLOHAN propelled the Bulldogs to a 3-0 lead with an RBI double in the sixth inning against Eastern Illinois. Photo: Sarah Andrews
As rain fell in Des Moines over the weekend, the Drake softball team went 2-1 to start the Razorback Invitational in sunny Fayetteville, Ark. The Bulldogs picked up key victories over Louisiana-Lafayette and Southern Mississippi before dropping a heartbreaker to Iowa State.
The Bulldogs came out swinging in the opening game against Southern Mississippi. Drake tallied 14 hits against Southern Mississippi’s ace, Courtney Ramos.
After scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, the Bulldogs never looked back en route to an 8-2 victory. Senior right fielder Bridget Shields broke out of her early season slump going 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs.
Junior Erin Bly added a home run in the sixth, her third of the season, and reached base four times. Junior Erin Mollohan joined in on the hit parade with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.
Junior Jenna DeLong limited the Golden Eagles to only three hits in seven innings of work. DeLong sent eight hitters back to the dugout with their heads hanging after strikeouts.
Drake wasn’t intimidated by the No. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns and their prolific offense in the Friday afternoon matchup. Strong pitching and a gutsy offensive call led to a 2-1 victory for the Bulldogs.
With a tie game in the sixth, sophomore Torey Craddock reached base on a one out double to left field. After Craddock advanced to third base on a Mollohan single, junior Molly McClelland came to the plate with a mission to get the runner across home plate.
A perfectly executed suicide squeeze play takes a perfectly placed bunt and good timing by the base runner. These were performed by the players involved as McClelland laid down the bunt to score Craddock and give the go-ahead run for the 2-1 win.
The Bulldogs silenced the explosive Ragin’ Cajun bats with an impressive pitching performance by junior Brynne Dordel and DeLong. Dordel threw five innings, allowing only one run on five hits, before giving way to DeLong who sealed the win. DeLong recorded four strikeouts in her two innings of work.
Senior Elena Leon went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI to pace the Drake offense. Christi Orgeron, last year’s Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, had three doubles for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Drake’s six-game winning streak came to a close after a tough loss to Iowa State on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs lost on a walk-off hit with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning by Carleigh Berry.
Drake took the loss despite only allowing three hits compared to having six.
Like many college students, the Bulldogs will be heading to Florida for spring break next weekend. But they are going to be playing five softball games, not hanging out on the beach. The Bulldogs will start play in the University of South Florida Under Armour Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. on Friday.
