KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Head Coach Marlee Wilson has announced the signing of six players to the Western Michigan softball program on Wednesday.

"The future of Bronco Softball just got better with the addition of these six student-athletes," says Wilson of the program's 2026 class. "They each contribute elite skill sets, provide depth to our existing roster and enhance our offensive game. I am excited to add their strengths and experience to our program!"

Angelina Cole | OF | Mokena, Ill. | Providence Catholic HS
Cole will join the Broncos in the fall after wrapping up four years with the Providence Catholic Celtics. With the Celtics, Cole primarily plays outfield after a breakout freshman season with a batting average of .562 and an OBP of .628. Last season, Cole set three new season records for Providence Catholic with the most hits (53) and RBIs (50) in a single season along with the best batting average (.525). Cole also helped lead the Celtics to the IHSA 3A Championship game where the Celtics finished as the runners-up.

Over the past season, Cole was named to the Daily Southdown All-Area Team, the Herald News All-Area Team, All-State First Team, and GCAC All-Conference. She was also recognized by her team as the 2025 MVP along with teammate Macie Robbins. In the summer Cole plays travel ball with the Chicago Cheetahs. When she comes to Kalamazoo in the fall, Cole plans to major in either healthcare services and sciences or criminal justice studies.

Kennedy Halverson | IF | Battle Creek, Mich. | Harper Creek HS
Halverson won't be too far from home when she comes to WMU in the fall from Battle Creek. Halverson has been a three-year varsity player for the Harper Creek Beavers, mostly at shortstop. During her junior season, Halverson appeared in 27 games with a batting average of .449 through 89 at-bats with 40 hits, 18 extra base hits, and 34 RBIs. She helped the Beavers to the District 45 Finals after an 18-10 season.

During her high school career, Halverson has been named to the Battle Creek All-City First Team three times. She has also been named three times to the Interstate 8 All-Conference First Team, the District 45 All-District Team, and the All-Region Team. Halverson also earned her first All-State recognition this past season, being named an Honorable Mention in Division 2. Halverson also plays travel ball with Turnin2.

London Hoffmaster | IF | Three Rivers, Mich. | Three Rivers HS
Another local player in the Brown and Gold's 2026 class is Hoffmaster from down US-131 in Three Rivers. Hoffmaster is a decorated two sport-athlete with the Wildcats, playing both varsity volleyball and varsity softball. Hoffmaster comes to Kalamazoo as the 45^th ranked softball player in the Class of 2026 by Line Drive Media. With the Wildcats, Hoffmaster had an outstanding junior season at the plate with a batting average of .558 and a slugging percentage of 1.097. Hoffmaster had 36 extra base hits, 48 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases while in the field she was .964 with 70 assists and three double plays.

 Hoffmaster helped the Wildcats to the District 42 Semifinals last season after a 12-11 season in 2024-25. For her play, Hoffmaster was named to the Wolverine All-Conference First Team three times and a two time All-District 42 Team Member. Hoffmaster was also named the Extra Innings High School National Player of the Week on May 22, 2024, as she led the Wildcats to the Cadillac Tournament Championship. Currently, Hoffmaster plays travel ball with the Tennessee Mojo.

Audrey Lingbeek | RHP/IF | Otsego, Mich. | Otsego HS
Lingbeek comes to Kalamazoo from just down the road in Otsego. She has spent the past three seasons on the Otsego HS varsity softball team helping lead the Bulldogs both at the plate and on the mound. Last season, Lingbeek pitched for 104 innings, averaging an ERA of 2.08 and 170 strikeouts. At the plate Lingbeek averaged .571 in 84 at-bats for 47 hits, 25 extra base hits, 35 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. She also ended the season with the Otsego strikeout record for most Ks in a game with 19 against Wyoming on April 24, 2025.

Last year, MLive named Lingbeek the winter and spring Athlete of the Year for her performance both on the softball field and on the court as one of the Bulldog's top guards in basketball. At the end of her junior campaign, Lingbeek was named to the All-Region, All-District, and All-Conference First Teams as a pitcher. Lingbeek spent the summer playing travel ball with the Finesse Fastpitch who was the co-champions at the Great Lakes Championship.

Kiley Renick | RHP/IF | Indianapolis | Franklin Central HS
Traveling the farthest from home to join WMU in 2026 is right-handed pitcher Kiley Renick of Indianapolis. Renick has been a three-year varsity player for the Franklin Central Flashes at both first base and in the circle. At the plate last season, Renick helped the Flashes to the Class 4A Sectional 12 Championship game. Renick recorded a batting average of .454 her junior year in 97 at-bats with 44 hits, 22 extra base hits, and 38 RBIs. In the circle, Renick made 23 appearances with a 10-9 record in 2025. Through 101 innings pitched, Renick had an ERA of 3.95 with 98 strikeouts while making 34 putouts and nine assists with four double plays.

After the season, Renick was named to the Class 4A/3A All-State Second Team, the Hoosier Crossroads All-Conference First Team, the All-Marion County First Team, and the Flashes team MVP. Along with the traditional postseason honors, Renick was named to the 2025 All-USA Central Indiana Super Team that honors the best softball players from around Central Indiana chosen by the IndyStar. Away from Franklin Central, Renick plays travel ball with the Indiana Gators.

Cambria VanderMeeden | UTL | Paw Paw, Mich. | Paw Paw HS
The Broncos final addition to their 2026 National Signing Day Class is another local product in VanderMeeden. A utility player both in the field and in the circle, VanderMeeden was a key part of Paw Paw's run to the Division 2 State Finals last season. During the Red Wolves best season in program history, VanderMeeden also etched her own name into the record books. VanderMeeden hit a Paw Paw record 17 home runs and brought in a record 65 RBIs through 2025. Also at the plate, VanderMeeden had a batting average of .455 with 21 other extra base hits, 56 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases.

In the circle, VanderMeeden pitched 44 innings in 2025 with a 6-0 record. VanderMeeden finished the season with an ERA of 2.39 and recorded 50 strikeouts. Out in the field at third base, VanderMeeden had a fielding percentage of .954 with 47 assists and five double plays in 2025. For her efforts on the field, VanderMeeden was named to the Division 2 All-State First Team for the first time. VanderMeeden has also been recognized as First Team All-Conference in the Wolverine Conference three times, First Team All-District 43 three times, First Team All-Region 11 two times, and the Red Wolves MVP three times. Off the field, VanderMeeden also excels in the classroom, being named to the Academic Honor Roll. She also plays travel softball with the Firecrackers.