NORMAL, Ill. – The Drake University softball team rallied to defeat Illinois State, 7-4, in the nightcap of Friday's Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader at Marian Kneer Softball Stadium. The two teams split the doubleheader as Illinois State (17-30, 9-12 MVC) edged Drake (26-23, 14-8 MVC), 1-0, in the first game.
The second game was back-and-forth as the Bulldogs scored one run in the first inning from an RBI single by freshman Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.). The Redbirds took the lead in the bottom of the frame with a two-run home run from Riley Strandgard.