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Arizona softball to hit against a pitcher who threw 2 no-hitters

Posted at 9:15 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-24 00:15:45-04
Baylor pitcher Gia Rodoni threw two no-hitters in No. 15 seed Baylor's wins last weekend over Kent State and James Madison, securing the Bears a spot in the super regional at Arizona.
 
The accomplishment marks the first time since 2010, when North Carolina's Danielle Spaulding no-hit Nebraska twice in the Seattle regional, that a pitcher threw two no-hitters in the same regional.  it is just the eighth time it has happened since the start of the NCAA tournament in 1982. Among those to accomplish it previously were Monica Abbott, Lisa Fernandez and Cat Osterman.
 
Rodoni mixes in a screwball and a riseball. Her no-hitters were two of seven during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, but two of only four that required the pitcher to complete all seven innings. The other no-hitters came in games shortened to five innings because one team led by eight or more runs.
 
Sunday's outing, in which she faced just two batters over the minimum, was impressive because James Madison entered the tournament with the nation's best team batting average.