Aces fall by a final of 7-0
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Six combined runs in their final two innings lifted Drake to a 7-0 win over the University of Evansville softball team in Wednesday’s opening game of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Charlotte West Stadium.
Evansville’s defense kept things close in the early innings. After the Bulldogs scored a run in the first, things would remain at 1-0- until the bottom of the 5th when Drake scored twice before a grand slam pushed the lead to 7-0 in the 6th. UE was limited to three hits on the day with Jenna Nink earning a pair and Lacy Smith picking up the other.
With two outs in the bottom of the first, Drake saw four consecutive batters reach base, resulting in the first run of the game.  A single, error and walk loaded the bags for Skylar Rigby.  Rigby singled to plate the first run of the game.
Hanhah Hood made a diving defensive play at third base to save a hit in the second and the Purple Aces were able to get their first baserunner in the third.  After the first eight UE batters were retired in order, Lacy Smith singled to right to reach base.
It was the defense who starred in the fourth as Jess Willsey and Marah Wood each made important stops to send the game into the 5th. Jenna Nink opened the 5th with a single and Taylor Howe would reach on a walk before Bulldog pitcher Mackenzie Hupke got out of the jam.
Drake added two insurance runs in the bottom of the 5th as Carey Koenig picked up a 2-run single to extend their advantage to three runs. They put the finishing touches on the contest in the 6th when Emily Valtman launched a grand slam to give her squad a 7-0 lead.
Tossing five innings, Sydney Weatherford suffered the loss. Just one of the three runs she allowed was earned. Megan Brenton threw the final frame. Hupke threw the complete game for the Bulldogs and allowed three hits. She struck out nine batters.
UE wraps up the 2023 season with a 22-32 record. The Aces enjoyed a strong home season that saw them win 15 out of 23 games inside Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
