CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference announced Tuesday that eight Western Michigan softball student-athletes were named to the 2024 Softball Academic All-MAC Team. Of the 98 recipients, Broncos Taylor Wolfe, Rissa Bajusz, Haley Boxwell, Taylor Garey, Cassidy Brendtke, Addison Hudson, Haleigh Smith, and Payton Kelly, were awarded Academic All-MAC honors. 

The junior Wolfe, majoring in criminal justice studies, performed exceptionally in the classroom and earned a stellar 4.0 GPA. Wolfe saw a personal best five RBI in 2024 after driving in a career-high two runners on February 9, against Abilene Christian University. This year, Wolfe was one of 10 student-athletes to earn a 4.0 on this year's Academic All-MAC Team. 

Bajusz, WMU softball's first-ever MAC Pitcher of the Year, continues to add to her resume with an Academic All-MAC honor. The senior, majoring in early childhood professional education, secured a 3.99 GPA in the classroom and posted career highs in wins (16) and strikeouts (218, fifth all-time in single-season history for WMU softball) in 2024. In addition to a personal best 1.93 ERA in 2024, Bajusz concluded her career with 516 strikeouts (third all-time in program history) and 20 complete games (sixth most in program single-season history).   

Majoring in sport management and earning a 3.83 GPA in the classroom, Boxwell batted .322 on the year, while blasting three home runs, notching 14 doubles, and tallying 24 RBI. This year, the catcher secured 10 multi-hit games and totaled 204 putouts defensively. Boxwell would conclude her excellent season by ranking ninth in the MAC with seven doubles in conference play. 

Garey, majoring in psychology, saw a GPA: of 3.82 this year. On the field, the senior saw a career year behind a personal best .280 batting average in 2024. Garey was one of six Broncos to produce 15 RBI on the year and was sixth on WMU in slugging percentage at .451. To close out the regular season on April 30 against Bowling Green, the senior recorded a career-high four RBI in WMU's 11-0 win over the Falcons. 

The senior Brendtke, majoring in HSS: Physician Assistant Prep, concluded 2024 with a GPA of 3.8 in the classroom. This year, Brendtke saw five multi-hit games and was one of five Broncos to walk 10 times or more. Defensively, Brendtke recorded a personal best seven assists versus Ohio University on April 20.

Majoring in physical and health education teacher education: K-12, the senior Hudson was rewarded a 3.73 GPA for her efforts in the classroom this past year. On the field, Hudson batted .261 and was a perfect 4-4 on stolen base attempts. On April 30, versus Bowling Green, Hudson tied a career-high two stolen bases as a Bronco. At the plate, the senior saw six multi-hit games during the 2024 campaign. 

The sophomore Smith, pursuing an exercise science: clinical/pre-professional degree, earned a GPA of 3.7 this year. Offensively, Smith totaled 18 hits and produced a career-high on-base percentage of .309. En route to her .309 on-base percentage, Smith produced three multi-hit games for the Brown and Gold in 2024. Defensively, the sophomore would see a career-high 50 putouts and tied a career-best 43 assists in 2024. 

Kelly, majoring in English: Literature & Language, earned a 3.49 GPA in the classroom. In 2024, the junior had a terrific campaign by notching 53 hits, 75 total bases, and five home runs for the Brown in Gold. Additionally, Kelly tallied 24 RBI and four stolen bases. This past season, Kelly collected 15 multi-hit performances and saw seven games with two RBI or more. The outfielder ranked sixth in the MAC in batting average during conference play this season (.356) and boosted her career batting average to .331, which ranks eighth all-time in WMU softball program history. 

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests scheduled or completed in the particular sport.

For all things WMU softball, make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmusoftball_, X @WMUSoftball, and Facebook @westernmichigansoftball.