ESPN :Michigan wolverine softball, senior first baseman Lauren Putz Named Softball America Player of the Year as Four wolverines Earn All-America Honors…
Freshman designated player Lauren Putz of the Michigan Wolverines has been named the 2025 Softball America Player of the Year, recognizing her as the top player in college softball this season. Putz’s outstanding performance has been a significant factor in Michigan’s successful campaign, culminating in a Big Ten Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Putz has been a standout in her debut season, leading the team with a .404 batting average and a .490 on-base percentage. She has also contributed 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 69 hits, ranking among the top freshmen nationally in several offensive categories. Her consistent performance earned her a spot among the top 25 finalists for the 2025 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year .
In addition to Putz’s individual accolades, four Wolverines received NFCA All-Great Lakes Region honors: senior pitcher Lauren Derkowski, sophomore outfielder Jenissa Conway, and junior second baseman Indiana Langford were named to the first team, while Putz was selected for the second team .
The Wolverines, under head coach Bonnie Tholl, secured their 12th Big Ten Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where Putz continued to make an impact. In the opening game against UCF, she hit a crucial home run in the sixth inning, contributing to a 4-3 comeback victory .
Putz’s achievements are particularly notable given her family’s athletic legacy at Michigan. Her father, JJ Putz, was a pitcher for the Wolverines and played 12 seasons in MLB, while her mother, Kelsey (Kollen) Putz, was a two-time NFCA All-American at second base for Michigan .
With her exceptional freshman season, Lauren Putz has firmly established herself as a rising star in collegiate softball.
