Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Drake University softball team opened their stint at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. with a pair of non-conference losses earlier today. The Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with two top 20 opponents in no. 19 Arizona and no. 8 Arkansas but could not make any magic with two losses.
No. 19 Arizona 9, Drake 3
Mackenzie Hupke started the Bulldogs first matchup of the day but could not recreate her rhythm from Drake's opening weekend at the UNI-Dome Tournament. Hupke struck out five while picking up the loss and splitting the six innings in the circle with
Jayme Scheck.
Drake fell behind the 19th-ranked Wildcats early as Arizona plated five runs in the bottom of the first inning and another four runs in the home half of the third.
The Bulldogs narrowed the lead in second frame with an
Emily Valtman home run and cut into Arizona's advantage again with a two-run shot to left field by
Sami Miller.
Despite outhitting Arizona 7-5, two defensive errors and two Wildcats lopsided innings by the Wildcats secured the 9-3 final score.
No. 8 Arkansas 4, Drake 3 (11 inn.)
Drake closed the first day of the Razorback Invitational with heartbreaking loss to the eighth-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead but could not fend off the Hogs and fell 4-3 in an 11-inning marathon.
The Bulldogs did all their damage in the top of the second inning when
MaKayla Rice and
Aubree Beitzinger singled. Both were eventually brought home when
Addie Lightner smashed a towering home run over the left field fence to take a 3-0 lead.
Arkansas slowly crept back into things with a run in both the fourth and fifth innings. They continued their rally in the bottom of the seventh with the game-tying score on a Cylie Halvorson single.
After three scoreless innings to start extras, Arkansas eventually completed their comeback effort with another RBI single off the bat of Halvorson to earn the narrow victory.
Molly Hoekstra started for the Bulldogs and tossed 4.1 innings with four K's and three hits allowed while taking the loss.
Emma Dighton also saw extended time in the circle with 6.1 innings of relief work.
Drake softball will continue play at the Razorback Invitational with another double-header against Arizona and Arkansas tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
