Hard-Throwing Right-Hander Bri Bower Joins Bulldogs
December 02, 2020 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's softball program is looking forward to welcoming 2021 signee Bri Bower. The Lake in the Hills, Illinois, native is the No. 33 prospect in the nation according to Extra Innings Softball and the 18th-ranked pitcher in the class.
Bower was named a First Team High School All-American by two outlets in 2019 and was an NFCA Second Team All-Region selection the same year. She was also named the Northwest Herald and Courier News Player of the Year and earned First Team All-State, All-Conference and All-Area honors.
"Bri Bower is a highly touted pitcher from Illinois who has an elite mix of power and movement," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She has played a competitive schedule for years with John LaMar's Indiana Magic team and knows how to battle and win in the big games. She has a strong demeanor on the mound and is going to be a prevalent piece of our pitching staff for the future."
As a freshman, Bower struck out 104 batters in 74.0 innings while posting a 2.17 ERA. The next year was a breakout season for the Huntley High School star. She racked up a school-record 353 strikeouts, which ranked ninth in the nation, while leading her team to a 27-5 record and a state title. She threw 12 shutouts, four no-hitters and a pair of perfect games that year and struck out 10 or more batters 20 times.
"I picked MSU because right when I stepped foot on campus, I felt the hospitality of the players, coaches and the people in Starkville, and it reminded me of my hometown," Bower said. "The coaches were very enthusiastic, and I loved every minute on my visit. Halfway through the visit I knew that this was the place for me."
Bower's junior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she will play her senior campaign in the spring.
On the club circuit, she has totaled 538 career strikeouts with Indiana Magic Gold and she won the Triple Crown Sports 16U Elite Championship in 2019. She struck out 15 batters at the PGF Nationals and also played with USA Elite Select and was named an Under Armour All-American.
"Bri has exceptional velocity and huge upside," assistant coach Josh Johnson said. "She's a great teammate, and we think she will fit well with our culture. She's nowhere close to her potential, and we think she will really grow in many ways in our environment. I can't wait to get her on campus."
Bower took up softball after watching the Women's College World Series when she was seven years old. She also played basketball in high school, earning two letters.
Mississippi State softball signed five student-athletes on National Signing Day on Nov. 11. State's class was ranked No. 26 by Extra Innings Softball, and all but one signee was among the top 100 in the class. The Bulldogs will continue to release an in-depth look at each signee over the next two weeks.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Bower was named a First Team High School All-American by two outlets in 2019 and was an NFCA Second Team All-Region selection the same year. She was also named the Northwest Herald and Courier News Player of the Year and earned First Team All-State, All-Conference and All-Area honors.
"Bri Bower is a highly touted pitcher from Illinois who has an elite mix of power and movement," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She has played a competitive schedule for years with John LaMar's Indiana Magic team and knows how to battle and win in the big games. She has a strong demeanor on the mound and is going to be a prevalent piece of our pitching staff for the future."
As a freshman, Bower struck out 104 batters in 74.0 innings while posting a 2.17 ERA. The next year was a breakout season for the Huntley High School star. She racked up a school-record 353 strikeouts, which ranked ninth in the nation, while leading her team to a 27-5 record and a state title. She threw 12 shutouts, four no-hitters and a pair of perfect games that year and struck out 10 or more batters 20 times.
"I picked MSU because right when I stepped foot on campus, I felt the hospitality of the players, coaches and the people in Starkville, and it reminded me of my hometown," Bower said. "The coaches were very enthusiastic, and I loved every minute on my visit. Halfway through the visit I knew that this was the place for me."
Bower's junior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she will play her senior campaign in the spring.
On the club circuit, she has totaled 538 career strikeouts with Indiana Magic Gold and she won the Triple Crown Sports 16U Elite Championship in 2019. She struck out 15 batters at the PGF Nationals and also played with USA Elite Select and was named an Under Armour All-American.
"Bri has exceptional velocity and huge upside," assistant coach Josh Johnson said. "She's a great teammate, and we think she will fit well with our culture. She's nowhere close to her potential, and we think she will really grow in many ways in our environment. I can't wait to get her on campus."
Bower took up softball after watching the Women's College World Series when she was seven years old. She also played basketball in high school, earning two letters.
Mississippi State softball signed five student-athletes on National Signing Day on Nov. 11. State's class was ranked No. 26 by Extra Innings Softball, and all but one signee was among the top 100 in the class. The Bulldogs will continue to release an in-depth look at each signee over the next two weeks.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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