There isn’t any denying that the house run makes softball a extra enjoyable recreation. Clearing the bases, particularly within the later or closing innings, is among the extra thrilling moments within the sport. So, because the DII softball season approaches, let’s check out among the finest to knock the ball out of the park.
You might presumably suppose that with the skinny air of Colorado or the truth that every little thing is greater in Texas, the RMAC or Lone Star Convention can be the place to seek out essentially the most dwelling runs. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case in 2024. Whereas the RMAC’s Colorado Mesa did, in truth, lead DII softball in dwelling runs, the Gulf South Convention slugged 814 complete dingers. Valdosta State completed proper behind Colorado Mesa with 119 dwelling runs, however West Florida (4th general), West Alabama (eleventh general) Auburn Montgomery and Alabama Huntsville (tied for thirteenth general), Mississippi School (seventeenth general) and Lee (nineteenth general) had been all among the many prime 20 packages in dwelling runs final yr. It ought to be no shock then, that Gulf South Convention hitters comprise 33 % of the under listing.
9 DII softball home-run hitters to look at in 2025
Emma Andrewski-Ramirez, Western Washington
Andrewjeski-Ramirez was a nice addition to the Vikings roster final season, coming into this system from BYU. There, she hit only one dwelling run in 22 profession video games over two seasons. Final yr, she grew to become the first catcher, beginning 61 video games for the Vikings and led the GNAC in dwelling runs (18) and RBI (56), serving to lead the Vikings to the championship collection and a nationwide runners-up marketing campaign, the primary in program historical past. She hit .304 with three dwelling runs and 13 RBIs all through the playoffs, exhibiting she will be able to do it when it issues most.
Myah Arrieta, Colorado Mesa
It was fairly the 2024 for Arietta. The center infielder had a pleasant begin to her profession, hitting over .380 with 12 dwelling runs in 2022 and an injury-shortened 2023. Nonetheless, final yr, she broke out on a historic stage, setting the Colorado Mesa and RMAC single-season file with 28 dwelling runs. From March 22 to April 6, she hit a house run in 10-straight video games — together with a three-game stretch the place she hit seven dwelling runs — setting a brand new faculty softball file at any stage. She earned the NFCA nationwide participant of the week thrice and completed with the second most dwelling runs in DII whereas additionally setting a brand new benchmark within the RMAC with 84 runs scored, 190 complete bases and a 1.027 slugging proportion… all prime 5 single-season marks within the historical past of DII softball.
Jessie Baughn, UWF
There are dwelling runs a lots within the Gulf South Convention, so do not be fooled by Baughn’s fifth-place end in dwelling runs final yr. In her first season with the Argonauts, she led the workforce with 17 dwelling runs, greater than any workforce chief up to now ten seasons and second-most in a single season in West Florida historical past. The outfielder additionally set the Argos’ single-season file with a .907 slugging proportion whereas main the workforce with 59 RBIs.
Savanna Brooks, Wingate
Brooks has been a gentle home-run hitter in her first three years at Wingate, averaging 15 per season with a career-high of 19 final yr. In every of her three seasons, she has improved in dwelling runs by 4 — starting with 11 as a freshman, 15 in 2023, and her career-best yr in 2024. Brooks is Wingate’s all-time chief in dwelling runs and her 19 final season set the single-season mark as she earned each SAC and Southeast Area player-of-the-year honors. She led the SAC in dwelling runs and completed third with 60 RBIs, and together with her again to steer that Bulldogs’ lineup, Wingate is projected to be No. 1 within the convention this season.
Ally Distler, Colorado Mesa
Within the Nineteen Eighties, the Oakland Athletics had Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, a duo nicknamed the Bash Brothers due to their slugging prowess. Nicely, meet the opposite half of Colorado Mesa’s Slugging Sisters. Distler — a two-time All-American catcher/utility participant — belted 19 dwelling runs, topping her profession excessive of 18 set the yr prior. She mixed with Arietta to hit 46 dwelling runs, greater than seven of the 12 RMAC groups had all season. She additionally tied together with her fellow home-run hitter for the second-most RBIs within the RMAC with 68. If the duo can construct on final yr, the Mavericks might very effectively discover themselves again within the South Central Area championship recreation.
Lauren Harris, McKendree
Harris had fairly the DII softball debut in 2023. She hit .444 with 10 dwelling runs and 57 RBIs with 4 stolen bases, culminating with the GLVC freshman and participant of the yr award. She completely dwarfed each a type of numbers in her 2024 follow-up marketing campaign with probably the greatest offensive resumes within the division final yr. She hit .511 — which led DII —had 18 dwelling runs — which was twelfth in DII — had 65 RBIs — which was 18th in DII — and added 53 runs scored and 24 stolen bases. All these numbers culminated together with her second-straight GLVC participant of the yr… and also you should not be stunned if there’s a third in her future.
Aniston Gano, Valdosta State
The Blazers, who’re one of many home-run happiest groups in DII softball on an annual foundation, had been as soon as once more loaded in 2024, ending second general with 119 dwelling runs. Although it was her teammate who led all DII in dwelling runs, Gano was proper there, blasting 22 of her personal to complete fourth. It was an enormous bounce again for her, lacking all of 2023 with an damage after a promising first two seasons the place she hit over .320 with 24 dwelling runs mixed. She’ll look to blast her method to the highest of the rankings as soon as once more in 2025.
Marissa Mitchell, West Alabama
Mitchell is well-traveled, having performed at Crowder and Tuskegee earlier than touchdown with the Tigers, however she has hit homers at each cease with 45 in her profession. She adopted up her 2023 All-SIAC marketing campaign by successful the GSC Participant of the Yr. Mitchell led DII in RBIs (82) and RBIs per recreation (1.52) whereas blasting 23 dwelling runs, the third-most in DII final yr. No snug within the lineup, anticipate extra domination from the Tigers’ left-handed slugging infielder in 2025.
Terin Ritz, Central Oklahoma
Ritz is among the most dominating gamers in DII, a weapon at each the plate within the circle. She was a first-team All-American and co-MIAA participant of the yr. Whereas this can be a dwelling run on offense, a fast have a look at what Ritz does within the circle is required to indicate simply how spectacular a participant she is. Final yr, she went 21-7 with a 1.50 ERA and 14 full video games. On the plate, she crushed each one in all her profession highs, hitting .381 with 12 doubles, 58 RBIs, and 18 dwelling runs. While you have a look at a participant who can really do all of it, Ritz is among the few who solutions the decision.
