Carter, Ellis Tabbed Preseason All-Americans by D1Softball

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas softball outfielder Nia Carter and first baseman Bri Ellis have been named Preseason Second-Team All-Americans by D1Softball.

The duo joins Hannah Gammill (2023-Second Team), Chenise Delce (2023-Second Team), Danielle Gibson (2022-Second Team) and Hannah McEwen (2020-Second Team) as the only Arkansas players selected to D1Softball’s Preseason All-America teams.

Transferring to Arkansas from Iowa for her redshirt senior season, Carter looks to build upon a spectacular 2023 season. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., product started all 62 games and hauled in a plethora of accolades including NFCA First-Team All-Midwest Region, First-Team All-Big Ten and Softball America Third-Team All-America recognition. Carter was the everyday right fielder and paced the team in batting average (.479), hits (101), runs scored (45) and total bases (115). Carter slashed .479/.527/.545 while adding 30 RBI, 10 doubles, eight stolen bases and two triples. Her 101 hits paced the Big Ten while also becoming just the second player in Big Ten history to eclipse 100 hits in a single season. Among the nation’s best, she ranked second and third nationally in hits and batting average.

Ellis arrives to the Razorbacks after two dominant seasons at Auburn. With 117 career starts to her name, Ellis brings a career slash line of .288/.685/.398 along with 96 RBI, 87 hits and 34 home runs. Ellis also proved to be an integral part of Auburn’s defense at first base, carrying a .989 career fielding percentage which stands sixth in Auburn’s all-time program history.

As a sophomore in 2023, Ellis was one of two Tigers to start all 62 games and held a .275 batting average, .601 slugging percentage and .415 on-base percentage behind 42 hits, 47 RBI and 14 home runs. Ellis led Auburn in multiple offensive categories, including home runs (14), RBI (47), total bases (92), slugging percentage (.601), HBP (7) and sacrifice flies. Ellis was named SEC Player of the Week (Feb. 27) and the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week (Feb. 28) earlier in the season.

The Hogs open their 2024 slate at the Paradise Classic in Boca Raton, Fla., with opening day scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. against Marshall. Arkansas kicks off its home slate on Thursday, Feb. 22 against Illinois State.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.