Lowell Class of 2019 Graduate Emily Depew Caps Historic College Career at SVSU

Lowell High School Class of 2019 graduate Emily Depew closed the book on one of the most accomplished careers in Saginaw Valley State University softball history,and established herself as one of the premier pitchers in NCAA Division II.

Depew was an elite pitcher for the Red Arrows, joining the likes of pitchers like Morgan Groom who went on to pitch for Harvard University, and other standout softball players in Lowell’s history dating back to the early days under Coach Bob Rodenhouse. In 2019, her senior season, she was named Mlive’s Softball Player of the Year in Grand Rapids. The Red Arrows advanced to the state quarterfinals that year, the program’s best finish since appearing in the quarterfinals in 1981.

After her high school career, she became just the second pitcher in SVSU history to earn GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, joining Jade Fulton from the 2011 season. Her final regular season was dominant by every measure. Depew posted an 18-6 record with a 2.02 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, finishing among the top ten pitchers in the GLIAC in both categories. She led the conference with 161 strikeouts, a total that ranked 41st nationally in NCAA Division II.

The right-hander delivered several signature performances during her senior campaign, reaching double-digit strikeouts three times and throwing her fourth career no-hitter in an 8-0 win over Ferris State on the final day of the regular season. That milestone made Depew the only pitcher in SVSU history to record four career no-hitters and one of just two Cardinals pitchers to surpass 600 career strikeouts.

Photo Credit - GLIAC Conference

Emily Depew earned pitcher of the year honors in her final season in 2024.

Nationally, Depew consistently ranked among the elite. She finished inside the top 50 in complete games, shutouts, strikeouts, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and victories.

Over the course of her career, Depew rewrote large portions of the SVSU record book. She ranks fourth all time in victories with 51 and strikeouts with 474, while also placing in the top ten in appearances, starts, innings pitched, complete games, ERA, and saves. Her career earned run average of 1.92 stands seventh in program history.

Her accolades mirrored her consistency. Depew was a three-time First Team All-GLIAC selection in 2021, 2022, and 2023, while also earning NFCA Midwest Region Second Team and D2CCA All-Midwest Second Team honors following the 2023 season.

Depew made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021, appearing in 22 games with 19 starts and finishing with a 10-4 record and a 2.06 ERA. She recorded 10 complete games that season and picked up her first collegiate win in her debut against Ursuline. As a sophomore in 2022, she took another step forward, going 15-10 with a 2.01 ERA across 30 appearances. She logged 14 complete games, struck out 169 batters, and tossed a perfect game in an 8-0 win over Northwood.

SVSU advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional final in Depew’s final season, falling 1-0 in extra innings to Grand Valley State University.

Before her collegiate success, Depew was a standout multi-sport athlete at Lowell High School, competing in both softball and basketball. She earned all-conference, all-district, and all-area honors in softball, all-conference recognition in basketball, and was named Team MVP.

Off the field, Depew majored in marketing and is the daughter of Rich Depew and Nicole Tuttle.