McDowell Named SEC Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas infielder Ella McDowell has been named SEC Freshman of the Week for the third time this season due to her efforts during the Razorbacks’ series win at No. 1/2 Texas A&M this past weekend, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

McDowell batted .455 during the three-game series with five hits, three runs scored, a home run and three RBI in 11 at-bats while posting a .455 on-base percentage and a .727 slugging percentage. The Richmond, Texas product registered multiple hits in both of the Razorbacks’ wins. During Saturday’s series-clinching victory, she went 3-4 with three RBI courtesy of a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning that accounted for the game-winning runs in a 7-5 victory.

During her first season on The Hill, McDowell has wasted no time making her presence known as a Razorback. She is batting .397 this season with 56 hits, seven home runs, eight doubles, a triple, 47 RBI, 33 runs scored and 17 walks.  Her .397 batting average is the best by a freshman in program history, while her 47 RBI rank second. In conference play, she is batting a team-best .420 with 29 hits, three homers and 25 RBI while posting a .494 OBP.

The honor marked McDowell’s third SEC Freshman of the Week selection this season. McDowell joins Hannah Camenzind (2023) and Mary Haff (2018) as the only freshman to win the honor three times in a season. She previously became the first freshman in program history to win the honor in consecutive weeks (April 1-8)

No. 6/8 Arkansas will conclude the regular season this Thursday-Saturday when they welcome No. 10 LSU to Bogle Park for a three-game league series. The first pitch for Thursday’s and Friday’s contests is set for 6 p.m., while the series finale is slated for 1 p.m.  All three games will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

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