July 23, 2025

Ferris State softball signees Gillard and Herremans earn Michigan's D3 Miss Softball honors

Ferris State recruits earn Miss Softball recognition — Incoming Ferris State softball recruits Addison Gillard and Emma Herremans have been chosen as the state's best as named by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association in its 2025 Miss Softball honors.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Two Ferris State University incoming freshmen standouts have been chosen as the state's best as the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association unveiled its 2025 Miss Softball recipients this week.

The Bulldogs had both of the Michigan Division 3 honorees as Addison Gillard was chosen as the pitcher and Emma Herremans was selected as the position player in the D3 voting, each ranking as the top player in the state. Both are from Ravenna.

The duo led Ravenna High School to the state semifinals last season and were both also named All-State honorees. Seven Ferris State incoming freshmen in the recruiting class of 2025 garnered All-State laurels.

Over the course of her career, Herremans, a third baseman, was chosen as the MLive Muskegon Area Player of the Year and she was a four-time all-state choice and three-time regional champion. Overall, she helped Ravenna to four consecutive district championships.

Gillard's addition will help bolster the Bulldogs' pitching staff. The right-hander was a three-sport standout at Ravenna and a multi-year letterwinner on the high school level. She joins her older sister, Emma Gillard, as a member of the Bulldog softball program.

Head coach Jake Schumann led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time since 2013. The Bulldogs' 28 wins this past year represented the program's most in a decade.