Herron and McDowell Named NFCA First-Team All-Americans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.– Arkansas senior LHP Robyn Herron and sophomore 3B Ella McDowell were both named first-team NFCA All-Americans, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

With the selections, it marked the third time in program history that the Razorbacks have had multiple first-team NFCA All-America selections, and the first since 2022, when Danielle Gibson, Hannah Gammill, Linnie Malkin, and KB Sides all earned first-team honors.

Herron is 16-6 this season with a 2.09 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 113.2 innings of work while limiting opposing hitters to a .184 batting average and collecting four saves. She ranks among the top pitchers nationally entering the week in fewest hits allowed per seven innings (20th, 4.74), saves (23rd, 4), and strikeouts per seven innings (4th, 10.7).

The Tampa, Fla., native is one of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, ranking among the all-time Arkansas career leaders in wins (6th, 54), ERA (7th, 2.09), strikeouts (6th, 583), and batting average against (1st, .182). Her 16 10+ strikeout games are tied for the most in program history with Mary Haff (2018-22, 16), while her three career no-hitters are also tied for the program lead alongside Haff and Heather Schlichtman (2001-2004).

Herron also earned first-team All-SEC honors this season after posting a 2.40 ERA and a 6-5 record with three saves, while striking out 74 batters and limiting opposing hitters to a .205 batting average in league play.

McDowell was named an NFCA All-American for the second time in her career after taking third-team honors as a freshman in 2025.

The Richmond, Texas product is batting .343 with 60 hits, 10 doubles, 11 homers, and 55 RBI while scoring 65 runs to go along with 28 walks this season. She has registered a .589 slugging percentage and a .440 on-base percentage this season. McDowell has recorded 17 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI games this season. She became the only player in program history to hit a grand slam in consecutive games after accomplishing the feat against Georgia (March 8) and Missouri State (March 9). She went 3-3 with a grand slam, double, and six RBI in the win at Missouri State. She became the first Arkansas sophomore to drive in 6+ runs in a single game since Danielle Gibson’s 10 during her home run cycle in a win over SIU-Edwardsville on Feb. 23, 2019. Her six RBI also marked a career high.

She earned second-team All-SEC honors and was named to the SEC All-Defensive team at third base.  She started all 24 league games at third base and batted .324 with a team-leading 24 hits, including three doubles, four home runs, 18 RBI, 10 walks, and 21 runs scored while registering a .419 on-base percentage and a .527 slugging percentage. She recorded a team-leading seven multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games during league play.

Arkansas is 47-11 this season and entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 National Seed. The Razorbacks are participating in their first Women’s College World Series in program history after run-ruling Duke in both games of last weekend’s Super Regional by the scores of 14-5 (5 inn.) and 10-2 (5 inn.).  The Hogs open play on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. against No. 4 Nebraska on ESPN2. Arkansas is just the second team in NCAA history to run-rule its first five NCAA Tournament contests alongside 1995 National Runner-Up Arizona.

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