Bri Ellis Wins 2025 USA Softball Player Award

Bri Ellis, senior first baseman for the Arkansas Razorbacks, made history as the first University of Arkansas player to win the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, having been selected over finalists Jordy Bahl and NiJaree Canady. Ellis posted a record-breaking season with a .440 batting average, 26 home runs, 72 RBIs, 68 runs scored, and program-best on-base (.639) and slugging (1.090) percentages, setting multiple Arkansas and SEC records. She also earned SEC Player of the Year, Softball America's Player of the Year, and unanimous first-team All-American honors. Ellis credited her teammates and coaches during her acceptance speech at the Women's College World Series banquet. Arkansas finished the season 44-14, reaching their fourth NCAA Super Regional but narrowly missed their first Women's College World Series appearance after a loss to Ole Miss. Ellis' achievements are considered among the greatest individual offensive seasons in NCAA softball history.