DES MOINES, Iowa – Pitcher Nicole Timmons took a no-hitter into the seventh inning for the Drake University softball team in a 3-0 win over Loyola Sunday afternoon at Buel Field.
 
Drake (17-27, 11-12 MVC) completed the Missouri Valley Conference series sweep of Loyola (10-27, 6-15 MVC) in the Bulldogs' final homestand of 2021. Drake closes the regular season May 8-9 at Bradley in a key series to determine seeding for the MVC Tournament May 12-15 in Evansville, Ind.
 
In the third inning Sunday, Emily Valtman delivered a two-out, two-RBI single for the Bulldogs' first two runs and later pinch hitter Kristen Arias' sacrifice fly in the fifth added an insurance run.
 
Timmons was dominant in the circle, striking out a season-high 11 as the only baserunners to reach base before the Ramblers' two hits, came on an error in the second and a walk in the sixth. Loyola didn't threaten until the final inning when its first two hitters hit singles. Timmons dug in and retired the next three Ramblers in order, capped by a strikeout to end the game and complete the sweep. Timmons earned the victory to improve to 9-10 on the season.
 
Drake had just three hits Sunday but capitalized on six walks issued by Sydney Ruggles. Addie Lightner, Libby Ryan and Valtman each had one hit.