Chaska High School graduate and current Drake University freshman pitcher Brynne Dordel was named the Missouri Valley Conference Softball Newcomer of the Year at the MVC Awards Banquet on Wednesday night.

The honor marked the first time since 1997 that a Bulldog had garnered a newcomer of the year award. Brynne Dordel


Dordel provided an immediate impact for the Bulldogs this season leading the pitching staff with a 1.86 earned-run average, while posting a 16-10 record with 196 strikeouts.

Dordel ranks ninth on the Drake career strikeout leader board, sixth in season wins and 10 in career and fifth in per-season shutouts.

Drake begins play in the 2008 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 as the fourth-seeded team. The Bulldogs will face the winner of the Wichita State/Indiana State game.