#16 Ashley Ellis Softball Roster

Will be counted upon to help anchor the Irish outfield … an incredible athlete with the flash and flair to make huge plays … has a rocket arm with good accuracy … her speed and athleticism make her a threat in the field and on the bases … quick and sharp reflexes.

As a Freshman (2007): Came off the bench to become a steady contributor in the outfield … scored the game-winning run as a pinch runner against Auburn (Feb. 16) … stole the first base of her career at Auburn (Feb. 16) … first career at bat came against Alabama-Birmingham (Feb. 17) … picked up a stolen base against Tulsa (Feb. 17) … earned the first start of her career in right field against Ole Miss (Feb. 25) … started in center for the first time against Virginia (March 2) … also picked up the first hit and walk of her career against the Cavaliers, while drawing a walk … pinch ran against both Eastern Kentucky and No. 12 UCLA in the Long Beach Invitational on March 11 … came in as a defensive replacement and batted against No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette (March 16) … hit a single up the middle as a pinch hitter against Seton Hall (March 25) … started against Toledo (March 29) … got the starting nod and recorded a single, walk and one RBI against Pittsburgh (March 31) … the RBI was the first of her career … scored a run as a pinch runner in the first game of the doubleheader against Providence (April 14) … came in as a defensive replacement and pinch ran in the twinbill with Western Michigan (April 17) … pinch hit against Ball State (April 18) … made a pinch-running appearance against Valparaiso (April 19) then again versus South Florida (April 22) … notched a hit, scored once and bodied a pitch to get a free base in a matchup with Loyola-Chicago (May 1) … drove in one run and scored against Rutgers (May 5) … tacked on a run in a pinch-running effort during the NCAA Tournament contest with Wright State (May 19).

The Ellis File: Four-year letterwinner in softball and volleyball at Bledsoe County (Pikeville, Tenn.) … served as team captain in each of those sports during both her junior and senior seasons … named team MVP in each of her last two seasons in both volleyball and softball … an all-state selection after sophomore and junior seasons in softball and as a junior in volleyball … first player from Bledsoe County to be an named all-state performer in two sports … also the first softball player from her high school to play Division I collegiate softball … was named high school[apos]s best offensive player as a junior and senior and the outfielder of the year during her senior season in softball … also earned a letter in cross country as a freshman … hit .510 in 2005 with four doubles, eight triples and nine home runs … helped the Chattanooga Eagles win the 2005 Music City Hits Tournament and become an ASA regional qualifier … member of the National Honor Society … daughter of Libby and Phil Ellis … father played football at South Carolina … oldest of three children … has a sister, Shelby, and a brother, Phil … born Feb. 9, 1988, in Knoxville, Tenn.