College softball pitchers have a strong aversion to facing Brieris. Given the option, many pitchers would rather walk her than throw a pitch. And if they must throw to Arkansas’s formidable player, they prefer to avoid the strike zone entirely.
That’s because if Ellis hits the ball, it’s likely to go far—very far.
She’s currently leading the NCAA in home runs, having launched 74 in her 573 career at-bats. That translates to an impressive average of one home run every 7.74 at-bats.
For context, Barry Bonds—despite his controversial past—holds the MLB record for home runs and hit one every 12.92 at-bats over his 22-year career.
Like Bonds, pitchers fear Ellis. They hesitate to give her a strike, knowing what she can do. But when she does see a pitch in her zone, she’s known for making them pay.
Just last week in the SEC tournament against Georgia, she was intentionally walked in her previous appearances. Yet, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, she finally got a pitch she could handle.
And wouldn’t you know it? She didn’t just make contact—she hit a walk-off home run that took the ball over the left-field fence, clinching the victory for Arkansas. This impressive feat also earned her the record for home runs and RBIs in a single season for Arkansas.
The parallels between Bonds and Ellis become even clearer when considering her outstanding season compared to Bonds’ impressive 2001, when he earned the National League MVP award.
Arkansas highlighted her achievements:
Originally hailing from Houston, Texas, Ellis has been named SEC Player of the Year and is a top contender for the National Player of the Year Award. She ranks second nationally with 26 home runs, boasts a .475 batting average, is seventh in RBIs with 72, and ranks second with 58 walks.
Additionally, she leads the nation in on-base percentage at .649, surpassing Bonds’ best career mark of .609 from 2004. This season, she’s the only player in the Power 4 with an on-base percentage over .600.
Another noteworthy stat? Ellis has the highest on-base plus slugging percentage in softball this season at 1.838.
With her power and skill, Ellis has garnered fans who appreciate both the strategic elements of the game and the thrill of home runs. She’ll be a key player to watch in the upcoming NCAA Softball Tournament, where Arkansas will be making its fourth appearance and will kick off the postseason against St. Louis this Friday at 6:30 PM on ESPN+.
