Drake rallies past Razorbacks at Metrodome Classic

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Drake softball team scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Arkansas, 6-5, Friday evening at the Metrodome Classic. With the bases loaded, Kelsey Kahler worked a walk out of Layne McGuirt and Molly McClelland scored the game-winning run for the Bulldogs. Arkansas (3-2) took a one-run lead in to the Bulldogs’ half of the seventh, but couldn’t hold the lead.

“Once again, I thought the offense did a great job of scoring runs,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “However, we left (nine) runners on base tonight and let Drake hang around. We struggled late finding the zone and when you give away free bases, you put yourself in danger of giving up the big hit. Now we have to bounce back for two games tomorrow.”

The Razorbacks took the early lead on a two-run single in the first by Miranda Dixon which plated Tori Mort and Kayla Johnson. Drake responded with a run of its own on a lead-off home run by Elena Leon down the left field line.

Arkansas pushed another run across in the fourth and stretched its lead to 4-1 on Whitney Cloer’s solo shot to center field in the fifth. The senior catcher was 3-for-4 against Drake with two runs scored and an RBI. The home run was her first of the season. Cloer has at least one hit in every game this season.

The Bulldogs tied the score with a three-run fifth with two of Drake’s runs coming on wild pitches by Dixon. Erin Mollohan opened the inning’s scoring with a double to plate Bridget Shields from first.

After a scoreless sixth for both teams, Dixon stepped to the plate with the score tied and one out in the top of the seventh inning. The junior pitcher knocked a solo shot over the center field fence to regain the lead for the Razorbacks, 5-4.

Mollohan struck again for Drake (2-0) when she knotted the score with a home run in the bottom of the seventh. After a single by McClellan and two walks by McGuirt, on in relief of Dixon, Kahler came to the plate with the bases loaded to get the walk and give Drake the victory.

The Razorbacks return to action Saturday for day two of the Metrodome Classic. Arkansas opens the day with a noon contest against host Minnesota before a matchup with Western Illinois scheduled for a 2 p.m. start. For live stats and continued coverage, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

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