Bri Ellis
| Bri Ellis | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Razorbacks – No. 77 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: January 7, 2003 Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
Brianna Grace Ellis (born January 7, 2003) is an American college softball player for Arkansas. She previously played for Auburn.
High school career
[edit]Ellis attended Memorial High School in Hedwig Village, Texas. During her freshman year she Newcomer of the Year and Memorial High School's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. She finished her career with a career .421 batting average with 80 hits, 99 runs batted in (RBI) and 104 runs scored in her three seasons.[1]
She was ranked as the nation's No. 20 recruit in the Class of 2021 by Extra Inning Softball. On November 11, 2020, she signed her national letter of intent with Auburn.[2]
College career
[edit]Ellis began her collegiate career for Auburn in 2022. During her freshman year she played in 56 games, with 55 starts at first base. She hit .302 with 20 home runs, eight doubles, and 49 RBIs. She finished the season tied for the second most home runs in a single season at Auburn, and the most by a freshman. Defensively she committed three errors at first base with 251 putouts and 11 assists for a .989 fielding percentage.[1] Following the season she was named SEC Freshman of the Year, and a top-ten finalist for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year.[3][4] During her sophomore year in 2023, she started all 62 games, and had a .275 average, with 42 hits, eight doubles, 14 home runs, and 47 RBIs. She led the team with a .601 slugging percentage. Defensively she committed three errors at first base with 264 putouts and 12 assists for a .989 fielding percentage.[1]
On June 19, 2023, Ellis transferred to Arkansas.[5] During her junior year in 2024, she appeared in 55 games, and hit .322, with 48 hits, seven doubles, 14 home runs, and 47 RBI. She led the team with a .651 slugging percentage and .444 on-base percentage. Defensively she recorded 359 putouts and 12 assists for a .989 fielding percentage.[1] Following the season she was named to the All-SEC First team and SEC All-Defensive Team.[6]
During her senior year in 2025, she hit .487, with 56 hits, eight doubles, 26 home runs, and 72 RBIs. She posted a nation-leading 1.221 slugging percentage and .659 on-base percentage.[7] During conference play she hit .397 with 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and 27 walks, with a .983 slugging percentage and .606 on-base percentage. Following an outstanding season, she was named SEC Player of the Year and named to the All-SEC First team and SEC All-Defensive Team.[8] [9] During the second round of the 2025 SEC tournament against Georgia, she hit a walk-off grand slam to help Arkansas advance to the quarterfinals.[10] With her home run, she set the single-season program record for home runs (26) and RBIs (72).[11]
Professional career
[edit]On May 3, 2025, Ellis was drafted second overall by the Talons in the 2025 AUSL College Draft.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Ellis was born to Ron and Molly Ellis, and has one sister, Emily. Her father played college football at Rice.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Bri Ellis". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "Loaded 2021 softball signing class boasts championship experience". auburntigers.com. November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "2022 SEC Softball Awards Announced". secsports.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "Ellis Named NFCA National Freshman of the Year Finalist". secsports.com. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Tafolla, Grace (June 19, 2023). "Arkansas Adds Bri Ellis". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "2024 SEC Softball Awards announced". secsports.com. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Corneliusen, Hunter (May 3, 2025). "Ellis Selected as No. 2 Overall Pick in AUSL College Draft by Talons". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Westerman, Ethan (May 9, 2025). "Arkansas softball star Bri Ellis named SEC Player of the Year". Whole Hog Sports. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Westerman, Ethan (May 9, 2025). "Arkansas softball lands 4 on 2025 All-SEC teams". Whole Hog Sports. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "Bri Ellis hits walk-off grand slam for Arkansas in SEC tournament thriller". NCAA.com. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Westerman, Ethan (May 7, 2025). "Bri Ellis sets Arkansas softball home run, RBI records with walk-off grand slam vs. Georgia". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Westerman, Ethan (May 5, 2025). "Arkansas 1B Ellis taken 2nd by Talons in 1st AUSL Draft". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved May 7, 2025.