DES MOINES, Iowa – Indiana State fought back from a 3-0 deficit to tie late in the game, but Drake took the series sweep on a walk-off RBI single and a play at the plate on Sunday.
 
Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Kenzie Ihle (11-9) – on in relief of starter Kylie Stober – was cruising with two quick pop-ups as it was looking more likely the game would go to extras. Drake's Mandi Roemmich (3-4, 2 2B) had other ideas, ripping a two-out single into left field. She stole second to get herself in scoring position in time for Megan Sowa (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI) to shoot a single to Bailey Martin in right field, who launched a strike to home just as the speedy Roemmich crossed the plate for the walk-off win.
 
Stober opened the game with two hitless innings again (her third consecutive opening of at least two scoreless to start), and the Sycamores (15-17, 2-7 MVC) were threatening in that second frame. With the bases loaded and one out following an Erika Crissman (1-4) single, Kylie Stober (1-2) walk and Bailey Martin walk, it appeared that Mary Turitto (1-3) had driven in the game's first run on a sacrifice fly to center, but Crissman was called out for leaving early for the inning-ending double play.
 
Drake (19-16, 3-6 MVC) took advantage of the momentum shift with a three-spot in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer by Abbie Buie (2-3, HR, 2 RBI) and back-to-back doubles by Roemmich and Sowa.
 
Indiana State fought back, though, bringing three unearned across itself in the fifth with two hits and two Drake errors – with two consecutive RBI groundouts coming from Becky Malchow and Shaye Barton to tie the game.
 
Senior shortstop Kassie Brown led the way offensively for the Sycamores on Sunday, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
Impressively, the Sycamore defense did not commit a single error all weekend – the longest error-less streak of the season.
 
The ISU defense once again turned two double plays – both coming off fly balls into the outfield and sharp throws back into the outfield in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, left fielder Erika Crissman hauled in the fly ball and then triggered a 7-5-2-5-3 putout for the runner on third trying to come home on a sac fly attempt. In the sixth, Bailey Martin – who had a great throw to try and nail the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as well – started a game of pickle with a missile to home to instigate a 9-2-5 putout for the double play. Entering this weekend, ISU ranked 10th nationally with 16 double plays turned. In three games against Drake, the Sycamores turned five.
 
Indiana State will have two road midweek games this week before hosting Missouri State this weekend, heading to IUPUI on Tuesday (April 4) and Butler on Wednesday (April 5).
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Softball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.