TUCSON, Ariz. - Drake designated player Kailee Smith went 3-for-3 with two solo home runs and centerfielder Megan Sowa hit the go-ahead blast in the fifth inning to give the Bulldogs a 5-2 victory over Abilene Christian Sunday afternoon at Arizona's Hillenbrand Stadium.
Nicole Newman earned the win for Drake (7-4) despite being behind 2-1 after 5.0 innings of work. ACU shortstop
Peyton Hedrick drove in the game's first run with one out in the first with an infield single that scored senior
Taylor Brown from third. Brown then broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth on a bunt single that brought home
Brianna Barnhill, who reached on an error to begin the inning.
Brown went 2-for-3 today with a run and a RBI.
In between Wildcat runs, Drake tied the game with one out in the second on Smith's first of two home runs vs. starter
Casey-May Huff, who allowed one run on four hits and a walk through the first 4.0 innings.
Hannah Null then came on to pitch the fifth and allowed hits to three of the first four batters she faced, including a game-tying RBI single by Kelsey Wright followed by Sowa's game-winning shot.
Huff came back to pitch the sixth and would surrender another solo home run to Smith for the game's final run.
The Wildcats return to action Friday for the start of a three-day, three-team tournament that features clubs from Prairie View A&M and Northern Colorado. The tournament schedule includes tripleheaders both Friday and Saturday and a single game between ACU and UNC Sunday.
