WSU signess (left to right): Abby Barnes, Katelyn DeWitt, Elly Koopman, Hunter Near and Morgan Williams.

Softball 12/20/2023 8:50:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Softball Signs Five For 2024-25

WSU adds Barnes, DeWitt, Koopman, Near and Williams.

DETROIT -- Third-year Wayne State University softball head coach Nicole Tines has announced the signing of five high school seniors to a National Letter of Intent to join the Warriors in the fall of 2024.

The signees include catcher/outfielder Abby Barnes (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Northview), third baseman/outfielder Katelyn DeWitt (Grand Blanc, Mich.), pitcher/corner infielder Elly Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.), middle infielder Hunter Near (Coopersville, Mich.), and first baseman/outfielder Morgan Williams (Midland, Mich.).

"Our staff is very excited about this incoming class as all five athletes bring such versatility and power to our lineup," commented Tines. "Not only are all five signees great additions athletically, but they are also all wonderful young ladies who will add to our team's culture and the growth of the program. We are excited for the future of Wayne State Softball."

Abby Barnes, 5-7, C/OF, R/R, Grand Rapids, Mich. / Northview
High School: Will be a 2024 graduate of Grand Rapids Northview High School ... will be a four-year softball letterwinner for the Wildcats ... serving as a team captain for coach Larry Fehrle ... was a three-time All-OK Conference White Division honoree ... received All-District accolades in both 2022 and 2023 ... named to the 2023 MLive All-Grand Rapids Area Honorable Mention team ... also competed in volleyball and basketball for NHS earning Academic All-State recognition ... plays summer ball for Finesse and coach Kayla Smart.

Personal: Full name -- Abigail E. Barnes ... born on May 16, 2006, in Grand Rapids, Mich. ... daughter of Matthew and Jennifer Barnes ... has two older brothers, William and Robert ... plans to major in Business.

Katelyn DeWitt, 5-7, 3B/OF, R/R, Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc
High School: Will be a 2024 graduate of Grand Blanc High School ... will be a four-year softball letterwinner for the Bobcats and coach Jami Nuebecker ... is a multi-year team captain ... helped GBHS to a 97-12-1 mark in her first three seasons, including three Saginaw Valley League (SVL) titles, two District titles and an appearance in the state semifinals in 2023 ... batted .448 and .426 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, before hitting .585 as a junior with a 1.770 OPS ... earned Flint Area Dream Team, First Team All-Region, First Team All-District, and First Team All-SVL each of her three seasons ... selected First Team All-State in 2023 by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association ... set GBHS single-season records with 15 home runs, 10 triples, and 77 RBI ... also played basketball for the Bobcats twice garnering Honorable Mention All-SVL recognition ... is a member of the National Honor Society ... plays summer ball for Tennessee Mojo.

Personal: Full name -- Katelyn DeWitt ... born on June 29, 2006, in Ann Arbor ... daughter of Darrell and Kelly DeWitt ... father played football at Hillsdale and mother played basketball for the Chargers ... father was the 1992 HC Most Outstanding Freshman on the gridiron ... has a younger brother, Jacob ... plans to major in Physical Therapy.

Elly Koopman, 5-8, P/IF, L/R, Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville
High School: Will be a 2024 graduate of Hudsonville High School ... will be a three-year letterwinner for the Eagles ... serving as a team captain this spring for coach Tom Vruggink ... selected to the 2023 Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association (MHSSCA) Division 1 All-State First Team ... compiled a 32-5 pitching record in 2022 and 2023 combined helping HHS to a 72-9 record and an appearance in the 2022 state semifinals ... smacked 14 home runs as a junior ... earned two letters in basketball ... will graduate Summa Cum Laude with over a 4.0 GPA ... plays summer ball for Finesse 18u Dreher/Peters and batted .396 in 2023 with eight home runs.

Personal: Full name -- Ellyson L. Koopman ... born on December 17, 2005, in Hudsonville, Mich. ... daughter of Jon and Wendy Koopman ... has two older brothers, Caden and Dustin ... aunt Jennifer Koopman played softball at Michigan State from 1994-1998 ... plans to major in Pharmacy.

Hunter Near, 5-7, SS/2B, R/R, Coopersville, Mich. / Coopersville
High School: Will be a 2024 graduate of Coopersville High School ... will be a four-year letterwinner for the Broncos ... selected to both the 2022 and 2023 Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association (MHSSCA) Division 2 Honorable Mention All-State team ... helped CHS to back-to-back District titles in 2022 and 2023 ... batted .542 as a freshman, then .472 as a sophomore and .466 as a junior ... earned OK Conference Blue Division, All-District and All-Region accolades each of her first three seasons ... set school records for doubles (23), triples (8) and runs scored (59) ... selected team MVP as a sophomore ... served as a team captain ... also competed in volleyball and basketball ... garnered All-League and All-Area recognition in volleyball ... notched over 1,000 digs for CHS ... received Academic All-State honors as a senior volleyball player ... plays summer ball for the Sabercats Jozsa 18u.

Personal: Full name -- Hunter R. Near ... born on July 4, 2006, in Coopersville, Mich. ... daughter of Wes Near and Jayne Paulson ... has an older brother, Wesley ... plans to major in Exercise and Sport Science.

Morgan Williams, 5-8, 1B/OF, L/L, Midland, Mich. / Midland
High School: Will be a 2024 graduate of Midland High School ... will be a four-year varsity letterwinner for the Chemics ... helped MHS to three consecutive District titles ... batted .479 as a junior with 11 home runs and 45 RBI ... voted to the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-State team as a junior ... selected to the 2023 Midland Daily News Dream Team ... enters senior season with 20 career home runs ... also competed in volleyball and basketball ... was a two-time (2022 and 2023) Honorable Mention All-SVL selection in basketball ... was a two-year team captain both basketball and softball ... plays summer ball for the Michigan Bolts ... batted .375 in the summer of 2023 with three home runs and 17 RBI.

Personal: Full name -- Morgan E. Williams ... born on October 15, 2005, in Midland, Mich. ... daughter of Mike and Amy Williams ... both parents were student-athletes at Albion College (father in football and track, and mother in soccer, basketball and track) ... has a younger sister, Caroline ... plans to major in Chemical Engineering.

Wayne State will begin the 2024 campaign, the third under head coach Nicole Tines, in late February at the Lewis Dome Tournament in Rosemont, Ill. The Warriors have five seniors concluding their collegiate careers this spring in catcher Becky Hodder, infielder Abby Favela, infielder/outfielder Shelby Miller, catcher Kiley Lewandowski, and pitcher/designated player Alexis Bonk.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Alexis Bonk: P; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#7 Abby Favela: LF/2B/SS; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#16 Becky Hodder: 1B/C; 5' 3"; Graduate Student; L/R

#12 Kiley Lewandowski: DP/1B; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#8 Shelby Miller: SS/3B; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#15 Alexis Bonk
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: P

#7 Abby Favela
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: LF/2B/SS

#16 Becky Hodder
: 5' 3"; Graduate Student; L/R
: 1B/C

#12 Kiley Lewandowski
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: DP/1B

#8 Shelby Miller
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: SS/3B