SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Gracie Thomas went 3-for-3 at the plate against the 13th-ranked University of Central Oklahoma, but Drury wasn't able to parlay that success into a nightcap win on Saturday. The Panthers split their games at the Drury Classic, winning 3-0 over Northeastern State University and dropping a 4-2 result to UCO.
 
Sophomore transfer Meagan Mullaney led the Panther offense in game one, scoring two runs and driving in a third with a 2-for-3 outing. The left fielder opened the scoring in the bottom of the first courtesy of a passed ball.
 
She doubled the Panthers lead in the bottom of the second with a two-out double to plate Gena Kulberg, then scored on an Abby Tiemann single.
 
Drury's defense made the three-run margin stand up, stranding 10 Northeastern State runners over the final five innings.
 
Kristina Bettis moved to 7-1 on the year with her second complete-game shutout of the tournament, striking out seven NSU batters and allowing just three hits.
 
Drury opened the scoring in the bottom of the first against the Bronchos, as Thomas knocked a two-out double down the left field line to score Lauren Beier.
 
Central Oklahoma responded with two runs in the top of the second and extended to a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth. A leadoff single by Thomas helped Drury cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning.
 
After giving up a run in the top of the sixth, Drury shrugged off a double play to threaten in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't take advantage of runners on the corners.
 
Drury (11-7) will close out the weekend with another matchup against No. 13 UCO (16-2) on Sunday, with first pitch set for 11 a.m. The game one loss dropped Northeastern State to 11-9 on the year.
 
 
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