Aces back home Tuesday to face Sycamores
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Scoring eight runs in the final two innings, Drake rallied to defeat the University of Evansville softball team by a final of 11-7 on Sunday afternoon at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.
Niki Bode put the Aces in front as she hit a 2-run home run to left field in the bottom of the first. Taylor Howe also scored on the play after reaching on a leadoff walk. Drake countered in the top of the second when Sam Tourtill hit a 2-run homer.
Callie Meinel gave the Aces the lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second, but Drake matched it with a score in the third. Zoe Frossard launched Evansville’s third home run of the game, a 2-run shot, in the bottom of the third to put her squad in front at 5-3.
Reliever Kate Ridgway pitched out of a jam in the top of the fourth. After the Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out, she forced the final two outs without allowing a run. Ridgway struck out the final two batters to end the top of the fifth to secure Evansville’s 2-run lead. In the top of the 6th, Drake scored three runs on an Aces error to take their first lead of the day at 6-5.
Jenna Donohoo got things going with a 1-out single in the bottom of the frame. Taylor Howe followed with a base hit before Niki Bode walked to load the bases with one out. Following a fly out, Jess Willsey came to the plate and delivered a 2-run single that put the Aces back in front.
Down to their final three outs, the Bulldogs opened with a pair of singles before a 1-out walk loaded the bases. From there, Drake cashed in, scoring five runs to clinch the victory.
Elle Jarrett suffered the loss, allowing four runs in 2/3 of an inning. Gracie Hollingsworth made the start with three runs scoring in three frames. Kate Ridgway allowed three runs, none being earned, in 2 2/3 innings. The Bulldogs finished the day with 11 hits while UE had nine. Howe and Donohoo registered two hits apiece.
UE returns home on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. game against Indiana State.
