Nicole Newman

Classroom

Nicole Newman is on track to graduate in May with her degree in psychology. She is also planning on getting into coaching at the college level after graduation.

Character

Newman is a great student-athlete and is always willing to do anything asked of her. Head Coach Rick Calvert had this to say on Neman: “There has never been a player who has made more of an impact on Drake softball than Nicole Newman. Even though she has had a few setbacks during her time at Drake, she has improved as a player and person every year. What I appreciate the most is her commitment to her teammates and Drake University.”

Community

Newman volunteers with the softball program throughout the Drake and Des Moines communities. She has volunteered her time with Habitat for Humanity, Orchard Place, Courage League Sports, Drake Relays Road Races and Meals from the Heartland during her time at Drake. In her summer breaks, she has helped coach 10u - 18u teams, serving as an assistant coach for a 16u team and the head coach for an 18u team.

Competition

Newman was named a 2018 third-team NFCA All-America selection. In 2018 she was also an NCAA Eugene All-Region Team and NFCA Midwest All-Region First Team selection, the Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Year, an All-MVC First Team selection and the MVC Tournament MVP. Newman was also named to the prestigious USA Softball Top 25 College Player of the Year finalists list. She went 22-5 with a league-best 0.89 ERA and 245 strikeouts, which ranked second in the MVC and second for single-best season total behind her own school record in 2018. She became Drake’s all-time leader in career strikeouts with 800. She tossed the fourth-ever no-hitter in the MVC Tournament in a 2-0 win over Valparaiso in the semifinal game, striking out 15. She struck out 10 in the title game against SIU on May 12, 2018.

She recorded her first career no-hitter in a 1-0 win at SIU (April 7) with a then career-high 17 strikeouts. She threw her second career no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Valparaiso (April 15) with a career-high 18 strikeouts. She lost a chance at her first perfect game with a two-out walk in the seventh inning of that game in which she also added a three-run home run in the win over Valpo. She has been named MVC Pitcher of the Week eight times.