Dundee's Emily Killion sparks resurgence at Ferris State softball

Emily Killion

Killion, who batted .224 with 15 hits and 14 RBI in 31 games this season, has watched the Bulldogs steadily add high-quality talent committed to what Ferris State is building in softball.

Momentum picked up with the addition of infielder Jadyn Joseph, who started fast and became the first Bulldog since Amy Blumenstein in 1992 to win GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023. Ferris State repeated the feat in 2024 when Alexis Kozlowski claimed the conference's top freshman honor.

Killion's play grew as a sophomore. As a second-year Bulldog, she played 47 games and had 41 hits with 24 RBI and 17 runs scored on a .293 batting average. The numbers added up to an All-GLIAC Second Team spot.

Ferris State's recruiting classes continued to bring in players who made an immediate impact.

The transformation has been dramatic.

"In some ways, I feel like we started from rock bottom as far as building the program up to where it is now," Killion said. "We've started recruiting players not just for their athletic ability, but also for who they are and how they fit with the team. Our team meshes really well."

Dundee graduate Emily Killion hits for the Ferris State University softball team during the 2026 season.

She sees the program as being built on a rock-solid foundation.

"I feel like (Schumann's) coaching style has helped us a lot," Killion said. "We have so much structure and organization, especially in practice. He's honest and straightforward with us."

Schumann's structure has helped integrate more talented newcomers committed to building on a high Ferris State softball standard.

"We have a lot of freshmen this year, and I feel like they've blended pretty well with us," Killion said. "We're all really close, and we have so much fun at practice, and we like to hang out outside of softball and talk about stuff outside of softball, and I feel like that's always really important."

Killion has found a home in Big Rapids as a Bulldog.

Dundee graduate Emily Killion catches for the Ferris State University softball team during the 2026 season.

"I had a travel coach who kind of pushed playing in college. He kept telling me that he thought I could play in college," said Killion. "A lot of people said I should play Division I, but I'm so happy I chose Division II. I love Ferris State."

A marketing major, Killion is keeping her options open as she considers career opportunities beyond softball following her May 2026 graduation.

"There might be something in the sports industry that I could go after," Killion said. "It could be inside sports or outside sports. I would like to start my own marketing company someday after I gain industry experience."

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Emily Killion helps transform Ferris State softball's fortunes