KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Head Coach Marlee Wilson has announced the signing of six players to the Western Michigan softball program on Wednesday for National Signing Day.
This group brings high-level playing experience and elite athleticism across all positions," says Head Coach Marlee Wilson. "They have the ability to make an immediate impact and continue building Bronco Softball. We are excited to welcome the 2027 class and cannot wait to have them on campus!"
Mackenzie Cummings | OF | Beech Grove, Ind. | Decatur Central
Cummings is wrapping up her high school career at Decatur Central in Indianapolis. In her first three years of high school softball, Cummings has had an award-winning career. She has played varsity softball for the Hawks all three years, helping them to three straight IHSAA Class 4A sectional appearances. As one of Decatur Central's leaders on the field, Cummings has been an All-Mid-State First Team and an All-Marion County selection all three years. She also earned her first All-State recognition in 2025 as an Honorable Mention following a season where she averaged .421 at the plate with five doubles, a triple, and 30 runs scored.
Cummings has also been named to the Indy Star First Team, the Indy Star All-USA Central team, the Indiana Super Team, the IHSAA First Year Standout Team, and Extra Innings All-Region First Team. She has also been nationally ranked by multiple softball outlets for the Class of 2027, including being Line Drive Media's 41st overall and 29th regionally and being Extra Innings' 57th overall player and seventh in the Midwest. Along with her softball career, Cummings also plays volleyball for the Hawks, where she earned a AAA award. She also excels in the classroom as a member of the National Honors Society at Decatur Central. Mackenzie is the daughter of Ryan Cummings and Katie Plummer and plans to major in criminal justice at Western Michigan.
Adysen Freeman | C/UTL | Owosso, Mich. | Owosso
Coming to Kalamazoo from right between Lansing and Flint is catcher/utility threat Adysen Freeman of Owosso High School. Freeman has been a three-year varsity starter for the Trojans primarily at catcher while helping the team to two Division II Regionals and a Division II District final. Over her high school career, Freeman has been named to the All-Flint Metro League First Team, the All-District 63 First Team, and the All-Region 16 First Team all three years. She also has made two appearances on the Division II All-State First Team and was named an All-State Honorable Mention her freshman season.
A two-time team MVP for Owosso, Freeman has set six season records for the Trojans. Freeman set her first program record as a sophomore, hitting 17 doubles in a season for Owosso. She then broke five separate season program records for the Trojans in 2026, including hits (66), runs scored (59), triples (nine), home runs (14), and RBIs (75). Freeman also had a special opportunity the last two years, representing the state of Michigan in the Softball Little League World Series over the summer. With Team Michigan, Freeman won both the 2025 and 2026 Senior League Softball World Series in Sussex County, Delaware, beating the local Delaware team 6-4. She is also a two-sport athlete for the Trojans, playing volleyball in the fall along with softball. Adysen is the daughter of Jason and Leslie Freeman and plans to major in kinesiology.
Avery Heil | UTL | Fenton, Mich. | Lake Fenton
Another state product joining the Broncos in 2027 is utility Avery Heil from Fenton. Heil has been a three-year varsity starter for Lake Fenton as the Blue Devils made two Division II Regionals and a District 63 semifinal. Heil is a three-time All-Flint Metro First Team and Flint Metro Dream Team selection, and a two-time All-District 63, All-Region 16, and All-State First Team recipient. She was also an MLive Player of the Week nominee and was named to the State Champions to Watch List by T2. Extra Innings ranked Heil as the 40th best catcher in the nation among all Class of 2027 players in 2025 as well.
A team captain last season and this upcoming year, Heil set four season records for the Blue Devils in 2026. She broke the records for hits (67), batting average (.604), on-base percentage (.671), and runs scored (67). As a sophomore, Heil set the Lake Fenton record for fewest strikeouts in a season, only striking out twice at the plate in 109 at-bats. Heil twice earned the Lake Fenton Team award as voted on by her fellow players in 2025 and 2026. She also played with future teammate Adysen Freeman as part of Michigan's Softball Little League World Series team in 2025 that won the World Series. Avery is the daughter of Adam and Rebecca Heil and plans to major in exercise science next fall.
Alia Rowles | IF | Chicago | Marist
WMU adds another player who can play around the diamond in Alia Rowles. Rowles has been a three-year varsity softball player for Marist High School on the southwest side of Chicago. While playing for the RedHawks, Rowles was part of their third-place and runner-up runs to the IHSA 4A State Championship in 2026 and 2024. Rowles was Marist's starting third baseman in 2026 and contributed in the postseason with seven hits, three runs, a home run, and nine RBIs across seven games.
Rowles is also a major part of Marist's girls' flag football team. Rowles plays quarterback for the RedHawks flag football varsity team over the past three years. She helped to lead Marist to a fourth-place state finish this year in the first Illinois state flag football championship as the team captain. She was also named to the All-Chicago Catholic First Team this fall for her play during the flag football season. Alia is the daughter of Steve and Diane Rowles and will major in engineering in Kalamazoo.
Sidney Schroeder | P | New Berlin, Wis. | Wisconsin Lutheran
The Brown and Gold welcome a pitcher from America's Dairyland as Sidney Schroeder joins the Class of 2027. Schroeder has been a three-year varsity player at Wisconsin Lutheran in the Woodland West conference. With the Vikings, Schroeder was named to the All-Woodland West Second Team twice as a freshman and sophomore as a field player. She then made the All-Woodland West First Team in 2026 as a pitcher for the Vikings while also earning All-District First Team and NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.
Schroeder made 19 appearances on the mound for Wisconsin Lutheran, pitching for a total of 94.2 innings. During the 2026 season, Schroeder struck out 164 batters and allowed only 19 earned runs on 35 hits for an ERA of 1.40 as the Vikings made the WIAA Division I Sectional Semifinals. Over three seasons, Schroeder and the Vikings made the Sectional Finals once and the Sectional Semifinals twice. Sidney is the daughter of Eric and Bethany Schroeder and plans to major in exercise science at Western Michigan.
Avery Veeder | P | Johnston, Iowa | Johnston
The Broncos' final addition to the 2027 class is Avery Veeder from the Hawkeye state. Veeder currently attends Johnston High School and has played travel ball for the Louisville Lady Sluggers in the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series and currently plays for Unity Meadows/Luke as part of Unity Softball. Veeder has been recognized in multiple national tournaments, including being named the MVP Pitcher at Triple Crown Nationals while also making the All-Tournament Team. She was also named the MVP Pitcher by Perfect Game at PGF Nationals.
Veeder has also earned national recognition from Legacy & Legends Softball. The news and reporting outlet ranked Veeder as the 22nd best player in the 2027 Class last year. Along with excelling on the field, Veeder also excels in the classroom and the community. She is a four-time All-Academic Letter award winner as well as a three-time Silver Cord recipient recognizing her volunteer work. Avery is the daughter of Jason and Holly Veeder with plans to major in sports management and psychology next fall.
