University of Indianapolis standout Brady Ware becomes first player to throw no-hitter, hit for cycle in same game

University of Indianapolis baseball standout Brady Ware has one epic story to tell his grandkids. On Friday, Ware made history by throwing a no-hitter and hitting for a cycle against Drury University.

And he did it in the same game.

"It's been pretty crazy," Ware told reporters Saturday, via the Indianapolis Star. "I don't think it really set in right away, but last night getting all the notifications, my teammates texting me — it's been pretty surreal."

Ware reached rarefied air with his performance. He became the first baseball player, collegiate or professional, to have a no-hitter and cycle simultaneously. Ware is also the first UIndy player to throw a no-hitter since Jordan Tackett in 2015.

In terms of the cycle, Ware snapped a 10-year drought in program history. He joined Jake Hartley as the only UIndy players to reach the milestone during the past decade.

"I wasn't really thinking about the cycle," Ware said. "I feel like that's something that just kind of comes along. But I think once I got into the fourth or fifth inning and I realized I had no hits going, I definitely had a different mindset going out there but just trying to stay relaxed."

Ware went 4-for-4 with five RBIs in the game. He hit a home run and a triple during an eight-run second inning. Ware completed the cycle with a double in the third inning and a single in the fifth inning. UIndy continued to provide ample run support en route to a 14-0 victory.

Ware didn’t need much support during his start. He recorded 11 strikeouts across seven shutout innings as he dominated the Drury lineup. Ware had command of his signature changeup and it paired well with his electric fastball.

"When you see the swings-and-misses, the hitters just didn't look comfortable from the first pitch to the last pitch," UIndy coach Al Ready said. "That's when you know you got it. You're gonna have a special day as a pitcher."

Ware owns a 2.76 ERA in 16⅓ innings pitched this season. He is hitting .315 with four home runs and 22 RBIs including a .589 slugging percentage.

Ware gained national attention on ESPN and was compared to the likes of Babe Ruth and Shohei Ohtani. Ware also mentioned he heard from former MLB pitcher Dallas Braden, who famously threw a perfect game on Mother’s Day in 2010.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: University of Indianapolis baseball star throws no-hitter, hits cycle