May 6, 2026

Eight Ferris State softball standouts claim All-GLIAC accolades, including Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year

Two Ferris State University softball players earned major awards, among eight players claiming All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors for the 2026 campaign.

Ferris State junior first baseman Alexa Kozlowski, from Gaylord, was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and freshman outfielder Ava Gardner, of Hudsonville, was chosen as the GLIAC Freshman of the Year in voting by the league's member head coaches.

Both Kozlowski and Gardner were also named to the All-GLIAC First Team and joined by Bulldog junior center fielder Emma Gillard from Ravenna.

In addition to the three first-team all-conference selections, the Bulldogs also had three student-athletes named to the All-GLIAC Second Team, including senior second baseman Jadyn Joseph of Holt, junior pitcher Cecelia Bell, of South Elgin, Illinois, and freshman pitcher Katie Shuboy of Richmond.

Ferris State had two on the GLIAC Honorable Mention squad in junior outfielder Ella McDonald of Rochester Hilla and freshman third baseman Emma Herrmans of Ravenna.

The eight all-conference standouts helped the Bulldogs to a 35-18 regular-season mark, which represents the program's most wins in the last decade. Ferris State placed second in GLIAC regular season play with a 21-7 league record.

The Bulldogs will be the No. 2 seed for the upcoming GLIAC Tournament this week. Ferris State earned a day one bye and opens action on Friday, May 8, versus either third-seeded Grand Valley State University or sixth-seeded Davenport University at 2:30 p.m.

The tournament runs Thursday thru Sunday and is a double-elimination event featuring the league's top six squads.