Willis, Falcons Add Eight to Program

Bowling Green State University softball coach Sarah Willis has announced the addition of eight student-athletes to the program. Makailah Dees (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), Peyton Dolejs (Mentor, Ohio), Maycee Godbolt (Elyria, Ohio), Madison Hendrix (Toledo, Ill.), Emma Miller (LaGrange, Ohio), Marlie McNulty (LaGrange, Ohio), Harlie Vannatter (Hurricane, W.Va.) and Reagan Williamson (Harrison, Ohio) have joined the Falcon family and will attend BGSU beginning in the fall of 2020.

Dees, a native of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., is a senior at Mission Viejo H.S., helping the Diablos to a league championship. Dees, the younger sister of current Falcon softball standout Sammy Dees, has played travel ball for 18U Richardson, helping that team to several championships.

"We have known Makailah for quite some time as her older sister, Sammy, is currently in our program," said Willis. "She is a gifted ball player that will add versatility in the lineup and great speed in the outfield. We are excited to have her join the Falcon Family!"

Dolejs, a senior at Mentor H.S., has a career batting average of .457 for the Cardinals. She batted .580 in her junior seasons, earning All-Greater Cleveland Conference honors for the second-straight year while also being selected to the all-district team. Dolejs scored 35 runs and drove in 28 last spring, bringing her career totals to 89 runs and 61 RBI. She has played travel ball for Ohio Lasers White, and most recently for the Beverly Bandits.

"Peyton is a great competitor on the field and plays with a passion for the game that is unique," said Willis. "Her energy and attitude as a player sets her apart and will certainly play a crucial role in the development of our program's culture."

Godbolt is in her senior year at Elyria H.S., where she earned All-Ohio First-Team honors last season after earning honorable mention the previous year. A three-time All-Lorain County First-Team selection, she is also a multiple-time selection to the All-Greater Cleveland Conference Team. Godbolt hit .464 as a sophomore, then batted .548 last season and was named the GCC Player of the Year as well as the Lorain County Coaches Association P-O-Y. She has 24 homers and 112 runs batted in over her first three seasons.

"Maycee is a fierce competitor at the plate," said Willis. "She will be a formidable hitter in the MAC and will make an impact in our lineup from day one. We are excited to have Maycee in our program!"

Hendrix currently attends Cumberland H.S., where she is batting .411 with a school-record 15 career homers through her first three seasons. A three-time All-Little Okaw Valley Conference selection, she has earned all-state honors in each of the last two seasons. She has also picked up 15 wins in the circle, and has helped the Lady Pirates to a pair of Class 1A Regional championships. Hendrix, a National Honor Society member, has been named to the honor roll in every semester of high school to date.

"Madison is a true student of the game," said Willis. "Her ability to learn at a quick pace makes her a competitive player to add to our program. Madison has a high ceiling in the MAC and I have no doubt she will find immediate ways to make our program better. She is a great competitor and fun to watch."

McNulty is a senior at Keystone H.S., where she has helped the Wildcats to three state final four appearances in her first three years, including a championship in 2018. She was named to the All-Ohio Second Team last season after hitting .443, with seven homers for the second-straight season. McNulty – an NFCA Third-Team All-American in 2017 – is a perfect 85-for-85 on stolen-base attempts over her first three years, and has been named to the All-Lorain County First Team in every season. She has 124 career runs scored. McNulty has played travel ball for the Beverly Bandits and Ohio Lady Lasers.

"Marlie is a versatile player that will make an impact in our lineup and outfield," said Willis. "She has a high ceiling in the MAC and we are excited to have a player with such passion and competitive spirit."

Miller is a teammate and classmate of McNulty's at Keystone H.S., where she helped the Wildcats to that 2018 state title. Miller has played travel ball for Sundogs, with a .416 batting average and 18 home runs.

"The staff is excited to add Emma to the 2020 recruiting class," said Willis. "Emma is a natural hitter with tremendous power. Her mindset and approach will provide great strength to our lineup."

Vannatter is in her senior year at Hurricane H.S. She has earned Class AAA All-State First-Team honors in each of her first three seasons, and holds the school records in nearly every pitching category. Through three years, she has a record of 75-10, with 84 walks and 696 strikeouts in just under 475 inning pitched. She has been a part of three state championship teams, and in fact, the Redskins have won five-straight state titles.

"We are excited to ink Harlie in the 2020 class," said Willis "Her presence in the circle will make a tremendous impact. Her natural ability to create spin and deception will make her a top pitcher in the MAC!"

Williamson, a senior at William Henry Harrison H.S., is a two-time All-Ohio First-Team selection. Also a three-time All-Southwest Ohio Conference First-Team honoree, she was named the SWOC Player of the Year in 2018. Williamson won the league's triple crown in that 2018 season, and holds the school single-season records for batting average (.600), homers (nine) and walks (31). The Wildcats won the SWOC championship in 2018, and captured the district title in 19. Williamson, an AP Scholar in the classroom, has played travel ball for Ohio Lasers Green and Ohio Lasers Blue.

"Reagan will provide the program with great leadership behind the dish," said Willis. "Her ability to build a strong and trusting rapport with her teammates will instill confidence in our pitching staff and defense. Her maturity as a ball player and competitive approach will make an impact in the Falcon program."

Willis and the Falcons begin the 2020 season on Feb. 14 at the Chattanooga Tournament, and the home opener is scheduled for March 21 against Buffalo. Willis and her staff have five seniors on the 2020 roster.

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