On a postseason stage already packed with pressure, Bri Ellis added another chapter to her record-shattering season — and she needed just one swing on the day to do it.
After walking twice and getting hit by a pitch in her first three plate appearances, Ellis stepped up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 1-1 game and delivered a walk-off grand slam, powering No. 5 Arkansas past No. 12 Georgia, 5-1, in the first round of the SEC softball tournament Wednesday.
It was her only swing of the day, but it was a historic one.
BRI ELLIS IS UNSTOPPABLE
— Arkansas Razorbacks 🐗 (@ArkRazorbacks)
Single season HR record ✅
Single season RBI record ✅
Walk off grand slam ✅
Hogs win ✅
With that blast, Ellis set not one but two Arkansas single-season records: most home runs (26) and RBIs (72) in a single season. She surpassed Razorback greats Braxton Burnside and Danielle Gibson Whorton in one swing, and tied the SEC single-season home run record along the way. Already a USA Softball Player of the Year finalist and No. 2 overall pick in last week's AUSL College Draft, Ellis’ lore only continues to grow.
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Georgia struck first in the top of the fourth inning on Wednesday, with a two-out RBI single from catcher Macy Miller. Razorbacks senior Courtney Day responded with a solo home run in the fifth, tying the game 1-1.
That set the stage for Ellis.
In the seventh, Kennedy Miller singled and pinch runner Ava Carter moved to third after a bunt and passed ball. Rea Johnson walked, then Raigan Kramer followed with another free pass to load the bases.
Two pitches later on a 1-0 count, the ball was flying over the left field fence and Arkansas had its win.
Robyn Herron earned the victory with three scoreless innings in relief for the Razorbacks, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Georgia’s Randi Roelling took the loss, giving up both of Arkansas’ home runs and walking five.
Now 39-11 on the season, Arkansas advances to face No. 4 seed Tennessee on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET in the SEC tournament quarterfinals. Georgia (31-20) will await its Ƶ tournament fate on Selection Sunday.
But Wednesday belonged to Ellis.
