Nation-Leading Eight Razorbacks Earn NFCA All-Region Accolades

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Highlighted by senior first baseman Bri Ellis’ first-team selection, eight Razorbacks earned NFCA All-Central Region honors, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.

The Razorbacks’ eight honorees tie a program record initially set in 2022 and were tied for the national lead this season.

Joining Ellis as All-Central Region selections were pitcher Robyn Herron, infielders Ella McDowell and Atalyia Rijo, and outfielders Kailey Wyckoff and Reagan Johnson on the second team, while outfielder Raigan Kramer and designated player/utility player Courtney Day garnered third-team selections.

Ellis took home first-team honors for the second consecutive season. The Houston, Texas, product is putting together one of the greatest individual seasons in NCAA history. Ellis is batting .475 with 26 home runs, 72 RBI, 145 total bases, 58 walks and 61 runs scored while posting a 1.189 slugging percentage, a .649 on-base percentage and a 1.838 OPS. Her 26 homers and 72 RBI are both single-season program records and she is on pace to set single-season program records in batting average and on-base percentage. She currently leads the nation in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS while leading the SEC in 10 offensive categories. Ellis finished the regular season ranked second nationally in home runs per game (0.51) and walks per game (1.42), becoming the first player to finish the regular season in the top two nationally in both categories since Jen Yee of Georgia Tech in 2010.

Herron leads Arkansas in the circle this season with a 17-6 record, three saves and a 2.50 ERA in 128.2 innings of work. She has struck out 150 batters while limiting opposing hitters to a .191 batting average, which is the sixth-best mark in program history. The left-handed junior has thrown 10 complete games this season and ranks 21st nationally and fifth in the SEC in hits allowed per seven innings with 4.84.

McDowell has broken onto the scene as a freshman. The Richmond, Texas native is batting .358 with 58 hits, eight doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 48 RBI while scoring 36 runs and posting a .425 on-base percentage. Her 58 hits are the second-most by a freshman in program history. She has posted 17 multi-hit and 13 multi-RBI games while posting a .975 fielding percentage at third base.

Rijo has excelled at shortstop for Arkansas in her return from injury after being sidelined in 2024. She is batting .292 with 40 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 34 RBI, and 24 runs scored while posting a .371 on-base percentage. The Horseheads, New York product has tallied 11 multi-hit and eight multi-RBI games. Defensively, she has posted a .962 fielding percentage with 64 putouts and 63 assists in 132 chances.

Wyckoff has made an immediate impact after transferring from Texas Tech this past summer. The Katy, Texas native is hitting .337 with 55 hits, a team-leading 14 doubles, six homers and 44 RBI while posting a .534 slugging percentage and .421 on-base percentage. Wyckoff has recorded 14 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI games this season. She ranks 10th in the SEC in doubles (10) and fifth in sacrifice flies (5).

Johnson garnered all-region honors for the third consecutive season. She is batting .367 with a team-leading 66 hits to go along with five doubles, two triples and 11 RBI while drawing 25 walks and registering a .447 on-base percentage to go along with 19 stolen bases. Johnson leads Arkansas with 22 multi-hit games this season, while her 19 stolen bases are the sixth-most in a single season in program history. Defensively, she has posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 73 putouts and two assists.

Kramer has set the tone for the Razorbacks’ lineup this season while batting in the No. 2 spot. The Topeka, Kan., product is hitting .308 with 40 hits, six doubles, two homers and 25 RBI. She has also registered 44 walks while posting a .486 on-base percentage. Kramer’s 115 walks are the second most in program history. Defensively, she has posted a .988 fielding percentage with just one error in 80 chances.

Day has made a significant impact during her return to college softball. The right-handed slugger is batting .320 with 40 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 62 RBI and 30 walks while recording an .800 slugging percentage and a .463 on-base percentage, both of which are career highs. Her 16 home runs are the eighth-most by a Razorback in a single season, while her 62 RBI are tied for third.

Up Next
After securing the No. 4 overall national seed, the Razorbacks will open NCAA Regional play at 5:30 p.m. on Friday against Saint Louis at Bogle Park.

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