McDowell Named D1 Softball National Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas infielder Ella McDowell has been named the D1 Softball National Freshman of the Week after her performance during the Razorbacks’ 3-1 showing that featured a series win at No. 2 Florida this past weekend, the publication announced Tuesday morning.

McDowell batted an astounding .706 during the week with 12 hits, three doubles, a home run, eight RBI and four runs scored in addition to a walk. She posted a .722 on-base percentage and 1.059 on-base percentage while registering multiple hits in all four of the Razorbacks’ games to increase her hitting streak to six games while improving her batting average by 56 percentage points. During game two of last weekend’s series at No. 2 Florida, McDowell went 4-5 with four RBI, three of which came on a three-run homer in the top of the third inning. Her four hits were a single-game career high and marked the first four-hit game by a Razorback this season, while her four RBI tied a single-game career high. The Richmond, Texas product helped secure the Hogs’ highest-ranked series win in program history with two RBI doubles in Sunday’s 9-5 series finale win at No. 2 Florida, both of which came following intentional walks to Bri Ellis. Defensively, McDowell posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with nine putouts and 11 assists.

McDowell has made an immediate impact during her first season on The Hill. The Richmond, Texas, product is batting .393 with 44 hits, six doubles, a triple, six home runs and 36 RBI in addition to 13 walks and 21 runs scored while posting a .462 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging percentage.

No. 10/12 Arkansas is 29-8 (8-7 SEC) this season and back in action this weekend when they host No. 10/11 South Carolina. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Friday and Sunday’s matchups will be on SEC Network+ while Saturday’s contest is set for SEC Network.

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