LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) and freshman Kennedy Frank (Chesterfield, Mo.) of the Drake University softball team garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association Midwest All-Region accolades, the association announced on Thursday, May 19.
 
Newman, a pitcher, was named to the NFCA Midwest All-Region Second Team for the second consecutive season. Newman, who was named the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, had an outstanding sophomore campaign in the circle. She went 22-13 with a 2.96 earned run average with a program-record and league-leading 286 strikeouts. She recorded 10 or more strikeouts in a game 10 times this season. Newman also collected All-MVC First Team honors for the second straight season.
 
Frank, who played in the infield and outfield this year, was selected to the NFCA Midwest All-Region Third Team after a great first season as a Bulldog. Frank batted a team-leading .357 along with slugging a team-high nine home runs with 29 runs batted in. Her 60 hits this season is tied for the sixth-best single-season total in program history. Frank collected three MVC Newcomer of the Week awards in her first season as well being tabbed to the All-MVC First Team.
 
The all-region teams honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third teams selected for each region. The all-region teams are voted on by NFCA member coaches from each respective region, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three 2016 NFCA Division I All-American teams.