DES MOINES, Iowa - Keeping its head through a non-league road test, Western Illinois softball (12-20, 2-6) turned up its defense during part two of Tuesday's (Apr. 6) doubleheader at Drake. The Leathernecks impressed in displaying several efforts to secure a 3-2 win after dropping game one, 5-0.

"Our win happened from many good things," emphasized WIU head coach Alisa Goler. "We had great pitching, clutch hitting by our upperclassmen, and some really, really good defense. Nobody can ever say this group doesn't work to bounce back hard."
 

Game One

Drake 5, WIU 0

The first base hit by either team came from Sydney Hollings on a single in the second inning. Drake went ahead on the board by putting together a three-run third frame. A 2 RBI double was nailed to left-center, followed by a sacrifice fly that rang in an additional run.

Two triples by the Bulldogs helped extend their lead to 5-0 in the fourth's bottom portion. Bella Alvarez gave WIU its second hit in the fifth. Western entered the seventh still trailing by five, and Ashley Minyard singled through the left side with two outs. The senior would be left stranded, however, as Drake's defense caused a final strikeout.

Pitcher Abby Carlin ended with eight strikeouts in six innings of work. Piper Foote, Jorja Hudson, and Savannah Rodriguez all drew a walk.
 

Game Two

WIU 3, Drake 2

The evening contest opened up with effective batting from WIU. Abrianna Gracia and Hollings singled to reach second and first, respectively. An RBI double from Rodriguez placed Western's first run on the board in an opening frame that saw three Leatherneck hits. Two unearned runs by Drake had the Bulldogs narrowly ahead by the first inning's conclusion.

Western's defense played sharply through the next couple of innings. The Leathernecks put an end to Drake's tactic of stealing bases in the second and then completed a 'three up, three down' stretch one period later.

Alyssa Ealy opened the fifth in strong style - homering to right-field on a leadoff hit. Minutes later, Hollings doubled to the opposite side with Foote on second, resulting in yet another run and WIU retaking the lead, 3-2. The defense remained solid throughout the night's closing stretch, as Western hung on for the victory.

Hollings and Rodriguez each had two hits and an RBI. WIU outhit Drake 8-7, with four additional Leathernecks totaling one apiece. Rodriguez also took the pitching win (4-6) after striking out four Bulldogs and allowing zero runs in six innings. Carlin earned her second save of the spring.

WIU returns to Summit League play this weekend (Apr. 10-11), starting a week three league series against North Dakota.