Wayne State University Athletics

Softball 5/6/2026 3:55:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Three Softball Student-Athletes Earn All-GLIAC Recognition

Koopman, Garver and Near honored for outstanding seasons.

GLIAC -- Three members of the 2026 Wayne State University softball team were recognized with All-GLIAC honors on Wednesday afternoon.

Sophomore first baseman/pitcher Elly Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.) garnered First Team All-GLIAC recognition at the utility position, while freshman outfielder Ellery Garver (Weidman, Mich. / Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart) and sophomore shortstop Hunter Near (Coopersville, Mich.) were named Honorable Mention All-GLIAC.

Koopman batted .323 (21-for-65) during league play and led the team with a .452 on-base percentage (17 walks to 11 strikeouts). She tied for the team lead with nine RBI in conference contests, and was among the team leaders with a .462 slugging percentage. For the entire regular season, Koopman led WSU in batting average (.350, 42-for-120), doubles (11), RBI (23), walks (25) and on-base percentage (.459), while starting 42 of the 49 games (21 at 1B, 13 at DP, 8 at P). She tied Near for the team lead with 13 multiple-hit affairs and led the squad with six multiple-RBI contests. Koopman also had a 21-game on-base streak from March 29-April 26 (21-for-51 with 17 walks).

Garver started the final 21 games (22 total starts - 20 in RF, 2 in LF) and totaled five multiple-hit contests, including two three-hit affairs. She posted a seven-game hitting streak (April 9-19, 13-for-24), one game shy of the WSU single-season best for 2026. Garver went 3-for-5 as a pinch-hitter and also scored five times in 13 pinch-running appearances before earning a starting role. She had a .323 batting average (20-for-62) in 19 GLIAC starts, along with a .311 overall batting average (23-for-74). Garver had just three strikeouts in 79 plate appearances.

Near led the Warriors with 11 extra-base hits (5 doubles, three triples, three home runs), 24 total hits and 44 total bases during league competition, while starting all 28 conference contests at shortstop. She was spectacular in the field with a .964 fielding percentage (63 PO, 44 A, 4 E). During the regular season, Near notched 13 multiple-hit games, including a four-hit affair vs. Minot State, while starting all 49 games at shortstop and batting leadoff in every contest. Defensively, she finished with a .979 fielding percentage (109 PO, team-leading 79 A, 4 E) and was part of eight double plays. Near hit .312 (49-for-157) with a team-high five home runs and a .554 slugging percentage in her 49 appearances.

Wayne State graduates three seniors (pitcher Hayden Batton, catcher Kennedy Cole, and second baseman Maddie Hool) from the 2026 squad, but will return 15 letterwinners in the fall. In addition, head coach Nicole Tines has signed five incoming freshmen for the 2027 season - pitcher Abby Curtis, outfielder Reese Dunny, pitcher Mary Gugala, catcher Ally Turkowski and outfielder Madi Treat.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Hayden Batton: P; 5' 9"; Senior; L/L

#10 Kennedy Cole: C/DP; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#7 Ellery Garver: OF/SS; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R

#2 Maddie Hool: 2B; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#21 Elly Koopman: P/1B/DP; 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/R

#8 Hunter Near: SS; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#18 Hayden Batton
: 5' 9"; Senior; L/L
: P

#10 Kennedy Cole
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: C/DP

#7 Ellery Garver
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R
: OF/SS

#2 Maddie Hool
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: 2B

#21 Elly Koopman
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/R
: P/1B/DP

#8 Hunter Near
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: SS