ESPN :Michigan wolverine softball, senior first baseman Lauren Putz Named Softball America Player of the Year as Four wolverines Earn All-America Honors…
Freshman first baseman Lauren Putz has made an immediate impact on the Michigan Wolverines softball team during the 2025 season. A highly touted recruit from Phoenix, Arizona, Putz was ranked as the No. 13 prospect nationally by Extra Innings Softball and was named MaxPreps’ 2024 Arizona Player of the Year . In high school, she posted a .559 career batting average with 42 home runs and 122 RBIs .
Putz’s transition to collegiate softball has been seamless. In fall ball, she led the team with 10 hits, including three doubles, two triples, and a home run . Head coach Bonnie Tholl described her as an “everyday player,” and Putz has started at first base, replacing Keke Tholl .
The Wolverines concluded the season with a 39–21 overall record and secured the Big Ten tournament championship . Putz’s contributions were instrumental in the team’s success, and her performance has garnered national attention.
Notably, Putz comes from a family with a rich Michigan athletics legacy. Her father, J.J. Putz, was a standout pitcher for Michigan before enjoying a 12-year MLB career, including an All-Star appearance in 2007. Her mother, Kelsey (Kollen) Putz, was a two-time NFCA All-American second baseman for the Wolverines .
Putz’s early success suggests a promising future, and she is poised to be a cornerstone of Michigan softball in the years to come.
