University of Georgia Athletics
Patience and Persistence Key to Ellison’s Success
April 03, 2025 | Softball
By Brigette Ramirez
UGA Sports Communications
Tyler Ellison's patience and persistence are being rewarded.
The Georgia softball junior, who had to settle for a reserve role her first two seasons with the Bulldogs, now bats leadoff and is among the top performers on the team in offensive categories across the board, including OPS (1.076), on-base percentage (.473), batting average (.342) and home runs (six). She's one off Sarah Gordon's team lead in homers and is essentially tied in on-base percentage (Lyndi Rae Davis is at .474).
Ellison, a junior from McDonough, Ga., knew what she was getting into when she chose Georgia; she knew that the Bulldogs' roster was stacked with talented players she was either going to have to play behind for a while or play her way past. In a time when transferring has become normalized for college athletes, Ellison's commitment to Georgia has remained whether her role on the team was that of a pinch-hitter or a leadoff batter.
"When I got the opportunity to come here, I knew that there was a big senior class in front of me, but I was determined to keep working and keep getting better and eventually be able to find my footing and find a spot in the lineup," the infielder said. "Leaving was never a thought in my mind. I was determined to find a spot here. This is where I want to be."
Despite primarily serving as a pinch-hitter her sophomore year, Ellison marked the conclusion of each of her first two seasons at Georgia with posts to her Instagram account expressing her gratitude for her teammates and coaches and excitement for her future as a Bulldog. And she had her share of celebratory moments before this season, including a pinch-hit home run last season against Georgia Tech for her first career homer.
She equates her positive outlook despite outcome or playing time with her love of the game and the relationships she's developed at Georgia.
"At the end of the year, even though I might not have been in the starting lineup every day or have the outcome I wanted, I could still look back and have a positive mindset because I could look back on the love I have for my teammates and the joy we had all season," Ellison said.
Ellison's patience, persistence and positivity are paying off for her and the paid off as her 23 starts so far this season already exceed the 21 total appearances she made as a sophomore — and she's increased her offensive statistics by an average of 250%. She had nine career hits before this season, and she now has 26 heading into the No. 16-ranked Bulldogs' weekend series against No. 4 Texas A&M at Jack Turner Stadium.
Now, as the Bulldog's leadoff hitter, Ellison's focus remains on improving with every opportunity and at-bat.
"I'm just trying to stay within myself, keep everything simple and calm, and I'm not trying to do too much anytime I'm out there," Ellison said. "I'm trying to be the best that I can, put my best foot forward and give 100% to the team every day."
Ellison uses her new role as an upperclassman, starter and leader on the team this season to try to instill those same values in her younger teammates who may be in a similar position to where she was not long ago.
"I try my best to lead by example, show them the way we do things around Georgia and be the best role model I can to them," Ellison said. "It's so important to be patient and know that your time is coming. If you keep working and stay with it, everything's going to work out for you."
Looking forward to the remainder of the regular season and postseason, Ellison's individual goals remain consistent with making a positive contribution to the team and competing her hardest every day.
As for the Bulldogs, she would consider it a successful season for the team if they continue to compete hard every day and build on the culture they've created over the past three years.
"If we go down fighting for every single game, no matter the outcome, I would be happy," Ellison said. "If we keep going out there and playing with our hearts on our sleeves every day, I would be happy with the way our season would turn out."
UGA Sports Communications
Tyler Ellison's patience and persistence are being rewarded.
The Georgia softball junior, who had to settle for a reserve role her first two seasons with the Bulldogs, now bats leadoff and is among the top performers on the team in offensive categories across the board, including OPS (1.076), on-base percentage (.473), batting average (.342) and home runs (six). She's one off Sarah Gordon's team lead in homers and is essentially tied in on-base percentage (Lyndi Rae Davis is at .474).
Ellison, a junior from McDonough, Ga., knew what she was getting into when she chose Georgia; she knew that the Bulldogs' roster was stacked with talented players she was either going to have to play behind for a while or play her way past. In a time when transferring has become normalized for college athletes, Ellison's commitment to Georgia has remained whether her role on the team was that of a pinch-hitter or a leadoff batter.
"When I got the opportunity to come here, I knew that there was a big senior class in front of me, but I was determined to keep working and keep getting better and eventually be able to find my footing and find a spot in the lineup," the infielder said. "Leaving was never a thought in my mind. I was determined to find a spot here. This is where I want to be."
Despite primarily serving as a pinch-hitter her sophomore year, Ellison marked the conclusion of each of her first two seasons at Georgia with posts to her Instagram account expressing her gratitude for her teammates and coaches and excitement for her future as a Bulldog. And she had her share of celebratory moments before this season, including a pinch-hit home run last season against Georgia Tech for her first career homer.
She equates her positive outlook despite outcome or playing time with her love of the game and the relationships she's developed at Georgia.
"At the end of the year, even though I might not have been in the starting lineup every day or have the outcome I wanted, I could still look back and have a positive mindset because I could look back on the love I have for my teammates and the joy we had all season," Ellison said.
Ellison's patience, persistence and positivity are paying off for her and the paid off as her 23 starts so far this season already exceed the 21 total appearances she made as a sophomore — and she's increased her offensive statistics by an average of 250%. She had nine career hits before this season, and she now has 26 heading into the No. 16-ranked Bulldogs' weekend series against No. 4 Texas A&M at Jack Turner Stadium.
Now, as the Bulldog's leadoff hitter, Ellison's focus remains on improving with every opportunity and at-bat.
"I'm just trying to stay within myself, keep everything simple and calm, and I'm not trying to do too much anytime I'm out there," Ellison said. "I'm trying to be the best that I can, put my best foot forward and give 100% to the team every day."
Ellison uses her new role as an upperclassman, starter and leader on the team this season to try to instill those same values in her younger teammates who may be in a similar position to where she was not long ago.
"I try my best to lead by example, show them the way we do things around Georgia and be the best role model I can to them," Ellison said. "It's so important to be patient and know that your time is coming. If you keep working and stay with it, everything's going to work out for you."
Looking forward to the remainder of the regular season and postseason, Ellison's individual goals remain consistent with making a positive contribution to the team and competing her hardest every day.
As for the Bulldogs, she would consider it a successful season for the team if they continue to compete hard every day and build on the culture they've created over the past three years.
"If we go down fighting for every single game, no matter the outcome, I would be happy," Ellison said. "If we keep going out there and playing with our hearts on our sleeves every day, I would be happy with the way our season would turn out."
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