DES MOINES, Iowa – Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) of the Drake University softball team pitched her first career perfect game in a 2-0 win over Indiana State Saturday afternoon in the team's home opener at Buel Field.
 
Newman threw the first seven-inning perfect game in Drake (19-13, 5-1 MVC) history since Jessica Hicks, who also did it against Indiana State back in 2005. Newman, who matched her season-high with 15 strikeouts, improved to 11-6 on the season. Kailee Smith had a five-inning perfect game in the 2017 regular season finale against Loyola.
 
Newman induced one groundout and five flyouts to go with her season-tying strikeout total. Newman, who came into Saturday leading the nation in strikeouts, has 184 this season and needs just 16 more for 1,000 in her outstanding career.
 
Indiana State (11-18, 1-5 MVC) received an outstanding pitching performance from junior Gabbi Schnaiter who allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with four strikeouts.
 
In the fourth inning, Newman helped herself by driving in the game's first run with an RBI single through the left side that scored Kennedy Frank (Chesterfield, Mo.). One inning later, Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.) added an insurance run with a bases loaded walk that plated Mandi Roemmich (West Des Moines, Iowa), who reached on a one-out error.
 
Newman struck out eight Sycamores in a row from the last out of the first frame to the first out of the fourth inning.
 
The teams will play a doubleheader Sunday with game one set for a 12 p.m. first pitch. Both games will be streamed on ESPN3.