KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball and head coach Jenny Rohn have announced the addition of Cal State Fullerton transfer Payton Kelly to the program. Kelly has three years of eligibility remaining and is set to suit up for the Broncos beginning with the 2023 season.
 
"I am elated to welcome Payton to the Bronco softball family," coach Rohn said. "Payton will be a huge addition to our lineup, as well as the outfield. Her speed and power in all aspects of her game will make an immediate impact. Payton is an outgoing, mature young woman and brings the kind of culture we are building here at WMU. Welcome Payton!"
 
Payton Kelly • 5-9 • OF • Chino Hills, Calif. • Chino Hills High School (Cal State Fullerton)

Kelly comes to Western Michigan after spending her freshman season at Cal State Fullerton. She appeared in 42 games, primarily as a pinch-runner, for a Fullerton team that won the Big West title and beat #22 LSU before eventually bowing out of the Tempe Regional. For the season, Kelly collected a double, an RBI, a pair of stolen bases and scored 15 times.  
 
A four-year letterwinner and three-time team captain at Chino Hills High School, Kelly posted a .376 batting average during her prep career and was ranked 17th in the state of California by MaxPreps. As a senior, she hit .365 on the way to a First Team All-League selection.
 
In 2018 and 2019, Kelly helped her team to back-to-back Baseline League Championships, as well as a place in the 2018 CIF semifinals. As a sophomore, she batted .430 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs to earn a spot on the All-Baseline League Second Team.
 
Kelly is the niece of Wayne Fontes, who played one season for the New York Titans of the American Football League before moving into coaching. Fontes was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 1989-1996, and his 66 wins are the most by any coach in franchise history.