Two years ago, Auburn dropped the ball, and Courtney Deifel hit the jackpot when she recruited Bri Ellis. She's had one of the best seasons in college softball history. And after all the work through the past couple of seasons, Ellis has been awarded for it.
USA Softball has named Ellis the Player of the Year after her incredible season at the plate, the first in Arkansas history..
Bri Ellis named Player of the Year by USA Softball
Ellis played and started in all 58 games this season, recording an unbelievable .440 batting average. She hit a team-leading 26 home runs, produced nine doubles, and drove in 72 RBIs, slugging for 1.090 with an On-base percentage of .639.
Near the end of the season, comparisons between Ellis' season and Barry Bonds' 2001 MVP season popped up all over social media. Then, the official Arkansas softball account released a graphic comparing the two. Ellis had better stats in all three categories. She hit a home run in every 4.52 at-bats compared to Bonds' 6.52. She had a slight edge in plate appearances per walk and hit more home runs per game than Bonds.
Of course, the numbers are magnificent, but situationally, she was also one of the best in the sport. Ellis had one of the most clutch plays in Arkansas history against Georgia in the SEC Tournament. The game was tied in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs found themselves in a bases-loaded situation.
Georgia had avoided Ellis all game, giving her a free base in every at-bat. With the bases loaded, the Dogs were forced to pitch to her, and on the first hittable pitch, Ellis knocked off the cover of the ball to walk it off.