# Jennie Ritter

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American softball player

Jennie Ritter Ritter at the White House in 2005 Personal information Born (1984-06-01) June 1, 1984 (age 42) Dexter, Michigan, U.S. Education Michigan Years active 2003-2006 Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) Sport Sport Softball Position Pitcher

**Jennifer Darlene Ritter** (born June 1, 1984) is an American, former collegiate [All-American](/source/All-American), retired [softball](/source/Softball) [pitcher](/source/Pitcher) and current sports commentator. She played [college softball](/source/College_softball) and was a starting pitcher for the [Michigan Wolverines softball](/source/Michigan_Wolverines_softball) from 2003 to 2006 and led them to the [2005 Women's College World Series](/source/2005_Women's_College_World_Series) championship. She is the career [shutouts](/source/Shutouts) record holder for the Wolverines in the [Big Ten Conference](/source/Big_Ten_Conference).

## Early life and college career

Ritter graduated from [Dexter High School](/source/Dexter_High_School_(Michigan)) in [Dexter, Michigan](/source/Dexter%2C_Michigan) in 2002.[1]

At the [University of Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan), Ritter played for the [Michigan Wolverines softball](/source/Michigan_Wolverines_softball) team under head coach [Carol Hutchins](/source/Carol_Hutchins). Ritter saw limited playing time as a freshman in 2003, only getting 7 decisions for a 5–2 record. Debuting on February 15, 2003, Ritter got a no-decision, pitching 5-innings, giving up a run and striking out 9 vs. [San Diego State Aztecs](/source/San_Diego_State_Aztecs).[2] She made her second appearance in the 2003 NCAA Regionals, shutting out [Wright State Raiders](/source/Wright_State_Raiders) for three innings to collect her last win that season.[3]

In 2004, Ritter earned All-[Big Ten](/source/Big_Ten_Conference) honors after posting 24 [wins](/source/Win_(baseball)) and 269 [strikeouts](/source/Strikeouts), of which the latter ranked second all-time for the Wolverines. Ritter fired her first career [no-hitter](/source/No-hitter) on March 12 against the [Notre Dame Fighting Irish](/source/Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish). She was a hit batter away from a [perfect game](/source/Perfect_game_(baseball)).[4]

Ritter had a golden season as a junior in [2005](/source/2005_Michigan_Wolverines_softball_team), earning All-Big Ten and National Fastpitch Coaches' Association First Team [All-American](/source/All-American) honors.[5] She was named conference "Pitcher" and "Female Athlete of The Year" to go along with the [University of Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan)'s "Female Athlete of The Year." She threw three [no-hitters](/source/No-hitters) and a [perfect game](/source/Perfect_game_(baseball)) on April 17, 2005, vs. the [Indiana Hoosiers](/source/Indiana_Hoosiers).[6] She also broke and set the school records for wins and [innings pitched](/source/Innings_pitched). Her strikeouts and [shutouts](/source/Shutouts) still rank top-5 all-time for a Wolverine season. She also earned a Big Ten pitching [Triple Crown](/source/Triple_Crown_(baseball)) for the best win, strikeout and ERA totals.[7]

From February 12 to April 19, Ritter went on a career best 22 consecutive game win streak, eventually snapped by the [Penn State Nittany Lions](/source/Penn_State_Nittany_Lions) on April 22.[8] For the streak, she threw 151.2 innings and collected 73 hits, 19 earned runs, 22 walks and struck out 225 for a 0.88 ERA and 0.63 WHIP.[9] Ritter defeated the No. 1 [Arizona Wildcats](/source/Arizona_Wildcats) on March 20, pitching 5-innings of the 6–2 victory.[10] On May 4, Ritter punched out 16 of the [Western Michigan Broncos](/source/Western_Michigan_Broncos) in a two-hitter for her career single game regulation high.[11]

Ritter would lead the [Michigan Wolverines](/source/Michigan_Wolverines) to the No. 1 seed at the [Women's College World Series](/source/Women's_College_World_Series) and opened her first and only appearance with a shutout of the [DePaul Blue Demons](/source/DePaul_Blue_Demons).[12] After escaping elimination, Ritter led the way into the Championship Finals against defending champs, the [UCLA Bruins](/source/UCLA_Bruins). Ritter toughed out a 10-inning battle in the third game of the finale series to win the National Championship and the distinction of being the first team east of the [Mississippi River](/source/Mississippi_River) to accomplish the feat. She also earned All-Tournament Team honors for her 5–1 record and 60 strikeouts in 54-innings (then a new series record).[13][14]

Ritter's senior season saw her repeat all-season honors: All-Big Ten, First Team [All-American](/source/All-American) and Michigan "Female Athlete of The Year."[15] She threw a [no-hitter](/source/No-hitter) and broke her own record for strikeouts and strikeout ratio (11.6); her shutouts were also a new record, the strikeouts totals remains tops for a single season. Ritter also posted her best [ERA](/source/Earned_run_average) and [WHIP](/source/Walks_plus_hits_per_innings_pitched) to accompany a pair of top-5 records for innings and wins at Michigan, helping to earn her a second conference Triple Crown.[7]

On April 15 in a 1–0 loss to the [Iowa Hawkeyes](/source/Iowa_Hawkeyes), Ritter struck out her 1,000th career batter.[16] In a win over the [Michigan State Spartans](/source/Michigan_State_Spartans) on May 6, Ritter began a career best 45.2 consecutive scoreless innings streak that was broken on May 21, when she broke the school record for single game strikeouts, whiffing a career best 19 in Regional action against the [Oklahoma Sooners](/source/Oklahoma_Sooners).[17] During the streak, Ritter won all 8 games and struck out 76 batters, surrendering only 12 hits and 7 walks for a 0.42 WHIP.[18]

Ritter ended her collegiate career as the all-time [Michigan Wolverines](/source/Michigan_Wolverines) record holder in strikeouts, shutouts, WHIP, innings pitched and strikeout ratio. As well she also put up some of the best wins and ERA numbers all-time for the Wolverines. She currently still holds the records for shutouts.[19] For the [Big Ten Conference](/source/Big_Ten_Conference) she ranks top-10 in almost every other pitching category.[20] Ritter is also a top-25 strikeout ratio pitcher all-time for a career in the [NCAA Division I](/source/NCAA_Division_I).[21] Ritter graduated from the [University of Michigan College of Engineering](/source/University_of_Michigan_College_of_Engineering) with a [B.S.E.](/source/Bachelor_of_Engineering) in [industrial and operations engineering](/source/Industrial_engineering) in 2007.[22]

## Professional career

Ritter was selected to the National Team in 2007 and competed at the World Cup and Pan American games. She had previously been named to the USA Elite in 2005.[23][24]

On February 15, 2006, Ritter was selected 6th overall in the [National Pro Fastpitch](/source/National_Pro_Fastpitch) draft by the [Akron Racers](/source/Akron_Racers).[25] Ritter instead joined the PFX Tour where she was originally drafted fourth overall.[26] In 2008, Ritter played professional softball in Japan and had [labrum](/source/Glenoid_labrum) surgery at the end of the year before retiring from playing softball in the fall of 2010.[27] Around this time, Ritter joined the [Big Ten Network](/source/Big_Ten_Network) and [ESPN](/source/ESPN) as a color commentator for softball game broadcasts.[28][29]

Since 2013, Ritter has lived in [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville%2C_Kentucky) and worked in management for [Louisville Slugger](/source/Louisville_Slugger).[28][30]

## Career statistics

YEAR W L GP GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER BB SO ERA WHIP 2003 5 2 20 8 4 2 1 66.0 49 18 14 20 68 1.48 1.04 2004 24 8 41 31 20 8 2 207.2 118 41 35 45 269 1.18 0.78 2005 38 4 48 41 34 16 4 288.2 137 50 38 43 417 0.92 0.62 2006 31 8 42 35 32 17 1 272.2 129 41 30 39 451 0.77 0.61 TOTALS 98 22 151 115 90 43 8 835.0 433 150 117 147 1205 0.98 0.69

## See also

- [NCAA Division I softball career strikeouts list](/source/NCAA_Division_I_softball_career_strikeouts_list)

- [NCAA Division I softball career sub-1.00 ERA list](/source/NCAA_Division_I_softball_career_sub-1.00_ERA_list)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Michigan_1-0)** ["Jennie Ritter"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050829063353/http://www.mgoblue.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=1248&section_id=305&top=2&level=3&season=940). University of Michigan. Archived from [the original](http://www.mgoblue.com:80/bio.cfm?bio_id=1248&section_id=305&top=2&level=3&season=940) on August 29, 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Ritter Shines in First Start But U-M Loses To Aztecs in Nine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100901205513/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021503aaa.html). February 15, 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021503aaa.html) on September 1, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Michigan Staves Off Elimination With Rout of Wright State"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120616043048/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/051603aab.html). Mgoblue.com. May 16, 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/051603aab.html) on June 16, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Ritter Nearly Perfect in No-Hit Win Against Notre Dame"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/031204aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. March 12, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["2005 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams"](https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3343:2005-di-aa-teams&catid=64&Itemid=134). Nfca.org. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Ritter No-Hitter, Findlay Home Runs Help U-M To Sweep"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/041705aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. April 17, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Softball_Archived_Statistics_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Softball_Archived_Statistics_7-1) ["Softball Archived Statistics"](http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings?doWhat=archive&rpt=archive&sportCode=WSB). Nfca.org. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Michigan, Ritter Have Win Streaks Halted By Penn State"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/042205aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. April 22, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["2005 Softball Schedule"](https://mgoblue.com/sports/softball/schedule/2005). Mgoblue.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Michigan Rolls Past No. 1 Arizona for Kia Klassic Crown"](https://mgoblue.com/news/2005/3/20/Michigan_Rolls_Past_No_1_Arizona_for_Kia_Klassic_Crown.aspx). Mgoblue.com. March 20, 2005. Retrieved October 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Ritter Fans 16; U-M Hits 50 Wins With Sweep of WMU"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/050405aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. May 4, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Ritter Mows Down Demons, Leads U-M To WCWS Win"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/060205aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. June 2, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["National Champs! Findlay Drives Michigan Past UCLA"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/060805aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. June 8, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Softball Division I Championship"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/softball_champs_records/2014/d1/Champs.pdf) (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["2006 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Americans"](https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3478:2006-di-aa-teams&catid=64&Itemid=134). Nfca.org. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Michigan Manages Just One Hit in One-Run Loss At Iowa"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/041506aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. April 15, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Michigan Uses Extra-Inning Win To Snare Regional Title"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/052106aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. May 6, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["2006 Box Scores"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/archive/2006-boxscores.html). Mgoblue.com. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["2017 University of Michigan Softball Record Book"](https://mgoblue.com/documents/2017/6/8/sfb-record-book.pdf) (PDF). Mgoblue.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["2020-21 Big Ten Records Book"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201112075617/https://bigten.org/documents/2020/9/22/2021_B1G_Softball_Record_Book.pdf) (PDF). Bigten.org. Archived from [the original](https://bigten.org/documents/2020/9/22/2021_B1G_Softball_Record_Book.pdf) (PDF) on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Division I Records"](http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/SB_Records/2021/D1.pdf) (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved October 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-JennieRitter15_22-0)** ["Jennie Ritter Biographical Information"](http://www.jennieritter15.com:80/JenniesBio.htm). *JennieRitter15.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101218214848/http://www.jennieritter15.com/JenniesBio.htm) from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Team_USA_23-0)** ["Jennifer Ritter"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140246/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/Jennifer-Ritter). Teamusa.org. Archived from [the original](http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/Jennifer-Ritter) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Wolverines Help USA Elite To 6-0 Start At Canada Cup"](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/070705aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. July 7, 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100807154343/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/070705aaa.html) from the original on August 7, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["NPF Teams Add Depth With Senior Picks"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195336/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=495). Profastpitch.com. February 16, 2006. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Ritter Among Top Choices in PFX Tour And NPFL Drafts"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100807150645/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/021706aaa.html). Mgoblue.com. February 16, 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/021706aaa.html) on August 7, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-catching_up_27-0)** ["Catching Up With ... former Michigan softball star Jennie Ritter"](http://www.annarbor.com/sports/catching-up-withformer-michigan-softball-star-jennie-ritter/). *Ann Arbor News*. May 20, 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110522075032/http://www.annarbor.com/sports/catching-up-withformer-michigan-softball-star-jennie-ritter/) from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-where_are_they_now_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-where_are_they_now_28-1) ["Where Are They Now: Michigan's 2005 NCAA Champions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180608043240/https://mgoblue.com/news/2015/6/8/Where_Are_They_Now_Michigan_s_2005_NCAA_Champions.aspx). *MGoBlue.com*. University of Michigan. June 8, 2015. Archived from [the original](https://mgoblue.com/news/2015/6/8/Where_Are_They_Now_Michigan_s_2005_NCAA_Champions.aspx) on June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Hawkeyes Back On The Road To Minnesota"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180707043619/https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2010/5/7/Hawkeyes_Back_On_The_Road_To_Minnesota.aspx?path=softball). University of Iowa. May 7, 2010. Archived from [the original](https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2010/5/7/Hawkeyes_Back_On_The_Road_To_Minnesota.aspx?path=softball) on July 7, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FloSoftball_30-0)** ["Careers: Jennie Ritter of Louisville Slugger"](https://www.flosoftball.com/articles/5044423-careers-jennie-ritter-of-louisville-slugger-1217). FloSoftball. December 17, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

## External links

- [Jennie Ritter](https://x.com/JennieRitter) on [X](/source/X_(social_network))

- [Michigan vs. UCLA: 2005 Women's College World Series - FULL REPLAY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7IlWGP2uM4&t) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

- [2018 Hall of Honor: Jennie Ritter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JCFng0K0_g) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e Michigan Wolverines softball Venues Alumni Field (1982–Present) People Head coaches Seasons 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 National Championships in bold; Women's College World Series appearances in italics

v t e Michigan Wolverines 2005 Women's College World Series Champions 15 Jennie Ritter 16 Samantha Findlay (MOP) 22 Tiffany Haas 24 Jessica Merchant Head coach Carol Hutchins Associate head coach Bonnie Tholl Assistant coach Jennifer Brundage Regular season NCAA tournament Women's College World Series

v t e Big Ten Athlete of the Year 1980s 1982: Jim Spivey 1983: Ed Banach & Judi Brown 1984: Sunder Nix & Lisa Ishikawa 1985: Barry Davis & Cathy Branta 1986: Chuck Long & Stephanie Herbst 1987: Steve Alford & Jennifer Averill 1988: Jim Abbott & Suzy Favor 1989: Glen Rice & Suzy Favor 1990s 1990: Anthony Thompson & Suzy Favor 1991: Mike Barrowman & Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse / Joy Holmes 1992: Desmond Howard & MaChelle Joseph 1993: John Roethlisberger & Lara Hooiveld 1994: Glenn Robinson & Kristy Gleason 1995: Tom Dolan & Laura Davis 1996: Eddie George & Olga Kalinovskaya 1997: Blaine Wilson & Gretchen Hegener / Kathy Butler 1998: Charles Woodson & Sara Griffin 1999: Luke Donald & Stephanie White-McCarty 2000s 2000: Ron Dayne & Lauren Cacciamani 2001: Ryan Miller & Katie Douglas 2002: Jordan Leopold & Christie Welsh 2003: Amer Delić / Matt Lackey & Perdita Felicien 2004: Damion Hahn & Kelly Mazzante 2005: Luis Vargas & Jennie Ritter 2006: Peter Vanderkaay & Tiffany Weimer 2007: Cole Konrad & Jessica Davenport 2008: Brent Metcalf & Hannah Nielsen 2009: Jake Herbert & María Hernández 2010s 2010: Evan Turner & Megan Hodge 2011: David Boudia & Shannon Smith 2012: Draymond Green & Christina Manning 2013: Derek Drouin & Amanda Kessel 2014: David Taylor & Daniella Hill 2015: Logan Stieber & Taylor Cummings 2016: Denzel Valentine & Rachel Banham 2017: Kyle Snyder & Lilly King 2018: Kyle Snyder & Lilly King 2019: Bo Nickal & Megan Gustafson 2020s 2020: Chase Young & Dana Rettke 2021: Luka Garza & Sarah Bacon 2022: Gable Steveson & Dana Rettke 2023: Zach Edey & Caitlin Clark 2024: Zach Edey & Caitlin Clark 2025: Carter Starocci & JuJu Watkins

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jennie Ritter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Ritter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Ritter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.