KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball head coach Marlee Wilson announced the addition of five signees on Wednesday, November 13. Joining the Broncos in the fall of 2025 are incoming freshmen Hannah Potts, Liliana Janeczko, Ava Geyer, Kendall Kotzmacher, and Bella Duncan.

"Our coaching staff has worked extremely hard to develop this class. This group has the potential and ability to make an impact in our program right away. We are so excited to welcome great people and elite athletes that will immediately contribute success to WMU Softball." said coach Wilson on the 2025 signing class.


Hannah Potts | Pitcher | Wellston High School (OH)

Potts will bring a formidable presence to The Brown and Gold, joining the Broncos with an impressive 41 career wins in the circle behind an ERA of 1.11, Potts has dominated in the circle, earning 590 strikeouts, and has seen only 11 career losses in 319 innings pitched. 

This past summer, the Wellston high school graduate shined on the Tennessee Mojo travel team with a record of 23-6 behind 218 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.40. She currently plays travel ball with Turnin2 Robeson/Long, a college softball prep program.

During her first three years at the high school level, Potts recorded 67 RBI behind 102 career hits and 13 home runs. Overall, Potts earned a .430 career batting average at the plate.   

Through her junior year in the circle, the Wellston High School product pitched seven career no-hitters.

In high school, Potts earned a plethora of accolades: The pitcher is a three-time All Tri-Valley Conference Selection, a two-time Tri-Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time Tri-Valley Conference Champion. Additionally, Potts has three All-Southeast District Selections and two All-State selections. Potts rounds out her impressive resume with a PGF Show Me The Money Pitcher of the Tournament nod and a PGF Top 25 All-Tournament Team selection. 

Potts is currently undecided on her major. 

"Hannah adds depth and a competitive edge to our pitching staff. She will contribute speed and will develop as a powerhouse for us. She comes from an elite travel ball background and has played the best competition to prepare her for this level." praised pitching coach Morgan VanderBor.


Liliana Janeczko | Catcher/Utility | Lockport Township High School (IL)

Coach Wilson adds more depth to her roster with the signing of Janeczko. The catcher from Mokena, Illinois, averaged a career .405 at the plate and earned an on-base percentage of .436.  

During her travel ball career in Colorado at the fourth of July Sparkler Tournament, Janeczko would claim All-American honors twice: Once as a catcher and once at the third base position. 

Behind her exceptional play, Janeczko was named to the 2024 Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) Futures Watchlist selected by the PGF Selection Committee. This past summer with the Chicago Cheetahs, Janeczko averaged .402 at the plate, secured a .927 fielding percentage, and caught eight runners from attempting to steal. 

In the classroom, Janeczko made the honor roll all three years of high school and will earn honor roll accolades as a senior.   

Janeczko is planning on pursuing a sports medicine degree at WMU. 

"Lil brings explosiveness and all around athleticism to the team." said Coach Wilson, "She is versatile on defense and a consistent power threat at the plate." 


Ava Geyer | Pitcher |  New Prairie High School (IN)

As a freshman, the pitcher earned Third Team All-State accolades after throwing an impressive 279 strikeouts and limiting opposing batters to an average of .100. Behind her success in the circle, Geyer tallied 279 total strikeouts during her first high school season. 

Geyer followed up her impressive freshman campaign with her first career First Team All-State selection as a sophomore. During her second season with New Prairie, Geyer led her squad to a Class 3A state title behind an impressive 0.99 ERA and 300 strikeouts. Geyer would also limit opponents to a minuscule batting average of .127 on the entire year. 

As a junior, Geyer led New Prairie to a second consecutive semi-state finals appearance and claimed her second straight First Team All-State selection. The pitcher posted nearly identical numbers in the circle in back-to-back seasons with an ERA of 0.99 and a total of 298 strikeouts in her third year. Geyer continued to excel in the circle and limited opposing batters to career-low batting an average of .111. 

Recently, the pitcher from New Prairie High School led her club team, Indiana Magic Gold, to an eighth-place finish in Alliance Nationals during 2023.

Geyer boasts career totals of 868 strikeouts in the circle and a fielding percentage of .990. At the plate, the pitcher blasted a total of 23 home runs.

At WMU, Geyer intends to pursue a degree in finance.

"Ava will provide immediate strength to our pitching staff. She generates a lot of spin through her pitches and compliments it well with her change of speed getting hitters to swing and miss often. She has played at the highest level and compliments our current staff well." said pitching coach Morgan VanderBor.


Kendall Kotzmacher | Catcher/Utility | White Bear Lake Area High School (MN)

Kotzmacher, a standout catcher from White Bear Lake Area, has built a decorated career.

She earned All-Conference honors as early as eighth grade. As a freshman, she received All-State accolades and was named one of the Elite 35 Underclassmen by Breakdown Sports.

During her sophomore year, Kotzmacher was recognized as Minnesota's top "Shutdown Catcher" by Breakdown Sports and earned All-Conference honors. That same season, she received her third consecutive All-Section nod, claimed her second Elite 35 Underclassmen honor, and achieved her third All-Conference selection.

At the club level, Kotzmacher led Midwest Speed with a .398 batting average and 37 total hits. Last spring, she earned a Breakdown Sports USA Top 75 Juniors nod before the season.

Kotzmacher intends to pursue a degree in criminal justice at WMU.

Coach Wilson spoke highly of Kotzmacher, noting, "Kendall is a dynamic player who will help limit the running game wherever she is on the field. Her competitiveness and energy are unmatched, and she is ready to dominate."

Bella Duncan | Utility | Morrison High School (IL)

Duncan rounds out the class with an impressive career batting average of .506 and an ERA of 1.72. In high school, Duncan tallied 45 hits and saw an on-base percentage of .535. Of those 45 hits, Duncan bombed 10 home runs and boasted a slugging percentage of .943. In the circle, Duncan has tallied a career total of 232 strikeouts while also boasting a near-perfect career fielding percentage of .988.

After earning Second Team All-Conference as a freshman, Duncan garnered Sauk Valley All-Area First Team, and both All-Conference and All-State Second Team nods.   

As a junior, Duncan ranked 10th in Class 2 A strikeouts en route to All-Conference First Team, Sauk Valley All-Area First Team, and All-State Second Team selections.

Bella has played elite travel ball over the years for Unity-Slezak, a team that has consistently competed against the best competition in the country.  
 
At WMU, Duncan plans on pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy.
 
"Bella's consistent and contagious energy and positivity will immediately boost our team dynamic. She brings a strong offensive game and versatility on defense." concluded Wilson.