Former Mercer right-hander Gabby Ellis announced her transfer to the Michigan softball team Thursday.
“I am so excited and blessed to announce that I will be spending my last two years at Michigan!” Ellis wrote on social media. “Go Blue!!”
A Florida native, Ellis spent two years with the Bears’ softball team. As a true freshman, she played in 18 games and started eight, earning a 1-5 record on a team that went 23-30 overall.
Mercer’s record was significantly better in Ellis’ sophomore year as the team went 40-26, and Ellis’ numbers improved along with it. Her struggling 5.01 ERA improved to 2.48, and in her 27 games played, she started 20 and went 11-5. In the Southern Conference Championship, Ellis pitched two of the eight games and the team won the tournament, advancing to the Gainsville Regional. At the regional, Ellis tossed a shutout against Florida Atlantic to reach championship Sunday. The Bears ultimately lost to Florida, 0-8.
With the graduation of longtime right-hander ace Lauren Derkowski, the Wolverines are looking for pitchers who can fill the void left in Derkowski’s absence. Junior right-hander Erin Hoehn figures to be among the leading candidates for the starting role next season, but Michigan’s bullpen badly needs reinforcement. Ellis is unlikely to get much playing time as a starter, but she may serve as a reliable reliever or alternate starter for the Wolverines.
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