In-state rivals collide in a Missouri Valley Conference softball twinbill in Cedar Falls on Tuesday when UNI hosts Drake. UNI coach Ryan Jacobs says they are moving the game inside the UNI-Dome because of the weather. Drake is 13-24 on the season. Opponents are batting over .300 and the Bulldog pitching staff sports an earned run average of nearly five. Jacobs says Drake has probably their worst pitching situation, but has made it work.
Drake coach Rich Calvert does not mind playing in the UNI-Dome. “The nice thing about it is you’re dry, and it’s 72 degrees,” Calvert says. He says with the way the spring is going, they are happy to not have to deal with the elements.
The Bulldogs opened the season 0-10 and dropped their first five Valley games but they have won eight of their last 10 games an now stand 5-7 in conference play. Calvert says they are starting to figure out roles on the team and how to coach them, and they hope to keep it going.