FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball fans who don’t know the name Ella McDowell will want to learn it before the team begins its season Feb. 6 at Texas State.
At least that’s what coach Courtney Deifel, who is entering her 10th season with the Razorbacks, said Monday while previewing the 2025 season. McDowell is a player Deifel knew could be an impact freshman the moment she began recruiting the infielder.
“[It was] the first time we watched her,” Deifel said. “She's special. We had heard about her, and then you get to watch her…and no matter how many times we watched her and how excited we were for her to be a Razorback and get here, she has still far exceeded any of our expectations.