ST. LOUIS – Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) of the Drake University softball team is the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the fourth time this season.
 
Newman went 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA in 8.1 innings in helping Drake go 2-0 at Bradley. Newman, who recorded 15 strikeouts with just one walk against the Braves, is now 9-6 with a 1.56 ERA with a league-leading 155 strikeouts. In the first win, Newman drove in Drake's first run with a fourth-inning RBI single, and had a perfect game going into the fifth inning. She ended up allowing one run on two hits with 14 strikeouts and zero walks. In the second victory, Newman pitched 1.1 innings in relief and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. She earned the win to help Drake sweep Bradley in a weather-shortened series.
 
Newman and her teammates visit Nebraska Tuesday night for a doubleheader that starts at 4 p.m. Drake opens its home slate Saturday against Indiana State for a 12 p.m. doubleheader.