KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Head coach Marlee Wilson and the Western Michigan women's softball program announced the addition of six student athletes on National Signing Day.  

"We are extremely excited to welcome this great group of student-athletes to the program. These signees bring well-rounded talent and experience in all aspects of the game", said Wilson. "Each of them come from successful, winning programs that have consistently competed at a high level. I look forward to this recruiting class making an immediate impact on Bronco Softball. WELCOME TO WESTERN!"
 
Caitlin Tighe | IF | Edwardsburg, Mich. | Edwardsburg HS
Tighe, who will join the Broncos for the 2024 season after graduating this Fall, ranks No. 89 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, and is one of the top infielders in club softball in the country. She was named First Team All-Wolverine Conference and First Team All-District in 2021. She helped her team to two MHSAA Division 2 District Championships and also helped Edwardsburg to a District Championship in girls' basketball. Heading into her senior season, Tighe is ranked No. 8 by Sixty Feet Softball in the class of 2024.

In club softball, she followed up on a stellar fall of 2022 by hitting an average of .310 and collected an OPS of .793. Last fall, Tighe averaged .318 and saw an OPS of .771. Tighe intends to pursue a degree in Accounting at WMU.

Rylee O'Brien | OF | Lubbock, Texas | Lubbock Monterey HS
O'Brien starred at Lubbock Monterey High School and has a career batting average of .492. She helped her high school to a 33-8-1 record last season. She is a two-time First Team All-District selection, also earning All-City and All West-Texas honors.  In her club career, she hit .364 with the Oklahoma Athletics National Madden/Clemmer, being named to the Alliance Fall Super Team and the TopGun Fall Super Team.. O'Brien can make an immediate impact in the outfield and adds versatility to the offense. She intends to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism at WMU.

Katie Nichols | C | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield South HS
Nichols heads into her final season at Plainfield South coming off an outstanding year, posting an average of .402 in 32 games played, with 35 RBI's, seven home runs and an OPS of 1.197.

During club ball in the summer, she played in 23 games, with a .306 average with one home run and 11 RBIs. She had 22 hits with an OBP of .359 and an OPS of .803. During a limited fall schedule she batted .467 in seven games with three RBIs. Nichols plans on majoring in sports management.

Parker Ostach | OF | Commerce, Mich. | Lakeland HS
Ostach provides another boost for the Broncos in the offensive lineup. The powerhouse hitter from Lakeland High School had a decorated junior season after earning First Team All-Conference, All District, All Region, All- State honors and being named to MLIve.com's 2023 Metro Detroit Softball Dream Team.

Heading into her senior season, she has 105 games played, with 153 hits, including 39 doubles, 14 triples and 20 home runs. She's posted 125 RBI's with a batting average of .475 and has scored 126 runs. Ostach is also perfect on the base paths, swiping 49-of-49 in her career so far.

Recently, playing on a T2 travel team this summer, against the top 18U teams in the country, Ostach batted an averaged .368, scored 23 runs and drove in 21 RBI's. During her full career, she has hit 41 home runs. She plans on majoring in Physical Education and Health and will add depth to the outfield.

Hailee Kara | P/UTL | Niles, Mich. | Buchanan HS
Kara is a three-time All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and All-State selection, looking to add to those accolades in her senior season. She was named one of top pitchers in Michigan by SBLive Michigan. Combined with her club softball career, she has over 60 wins, while averaging an ERA under 2.0 and over 300 strikeouts. Kara also is strong with the bat, hitting .389 this past summer in club ball, with 21 RBIs and 16 home runs. She holds a spot in the MHSAA record book for grand slams in a single game (2) and RBIs in a single game (9).  She plans on majoring in criminology or psychology. Kara will add depth to the pitching staff and has the ability to contribute on offense right away. 

Micaela Booth-Fayne | IF | Allen, Texas | Allen HS
Booth-Fayne joins the Broncos as a consistent batter and a versatile athlete. During the 2022 season, Booth-Fayne led her U16 club team, Texas Glory, to a third place finish at the Tulsa Elite Invitational. She batted .317 and had an OPS of .934. She has played first, second, third base and pitching. This past summer with Prolific Fastpitch, she batted .310 and had an OPS of .793. Booth-Fayne will add depth to the offense and will play the corners of the infield. She plans on majoring in interior architecture and design.