WHAT'S AHEAD: The Drake softball team will open an abbreviated fall campaign this Sunday, playing host to Grand View in a nine-inning game at 6 p.m. at Buel Field.

The Bulldogs will play in the All-Iowa Classic Sept. 18-19 at Ames, Iowa and then return home for a doubleheader against Minnesota State-Mankato Sept. 26 along with single games against Iowa Lakes Community College and Indian Hills Community College Oct. 3.

LAST YEAR: The Bulldogs are coming off a 32-22 season and a first-round exit from the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Softball Tournament.

SIZING UP THE BULLDOGS: The Bulldogs return 11 letterwinners from last season's squad, including senior ace pitchers Jenna DeLong (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) and Brynne Dordel (Chanhassen, Minn.). DeLong, a first team all-MVC performer last season, posted a 1.56 ERA and a 17-11 record while striking out 217 batters in 184 innings pitched. Dordel punched out 196 batters in 179.2 innings and went 15-10 with a 1.87 ERA.

Also returning to the battery will be senior catcher Erin Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill.), who slapped a school-record 18 doubles last season, while leading the team with a .294 average.

Sophomores Macie Silliman (Winterset, Iowa) and Lindsay Vande Wall (Prairie City, Iowa) return after stellar freshman seasons. Silliman was second on the team with a .274 average and played several defensive positions. Vande Wall belted nine homers, good for second on the team, and was a solid presence in centerfield and rightfield.