Gaylord softball alum Alexis Kozlowski earns list of accolades in first year at Ferris

BIG RAPIDS — People around Michigan softball have known about the talented group of girls coming out of Gaylord for the past few years.

Now, those around the country are starting to learn as well.

Class of 2023 graduate Alexis Kozlowski was a key part of the Blue Devils run to the Division 2 state championship in 2023, one of the most dangerous hitters in a historically dangerous GHS lineup. Now, a member of the Ferris State Bulldogs in Big Rapids, Mich., the former Gaylord three-hitter and third baseman is already proving to be one of the top players not just on the Ferris roster, but NCAA Division 2 in general.

Kozlowski brought in a host of accolades after a successful freshman campaign in 2024 including being named as a finalist for National Freshman of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

"I did enjoy my first year at Ferris. It was definitely stressful at first with school, softball, and just being away from home in general," said Kozlowski. "But I warmed up pretty fast, to my teammates and the coaches."

Kozlowski quickly became one of the top hitters in Ferris's lineup, finishing her freshman year as the team leader in nearly every statistical category; hits (61), batting average (.361), runs batted in (48), doubles (19), triples (6) and home runs (6). She led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in doubles and triples and was second in both hits and RBIs.

That helped earn her a long list of accolades including the National Freshman of the Year nomination, being named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year, a first-team All-GLIAC honoree and an NFCA first-team All-Region Honoree, Ferris State's first in 15 years.

"Learning that I had earned all of these awards was exciting for me, because of the work I put in," said Kozlowski. "I was a little surprised because I feel like I could have done even better than I did, at some points I was not at my best, but what’s nice about it is I have three more years to improve even more for my team."

Ferris State was the benefit of Kozlowski's great play in 2024, exceeding expectations with a top-four finish in the GLIAC and qualifying for the conference tournament. Soon, even more Gaylord-area players will join Kozlowski on the Bulldogs roster as well, with Gaylord seniors Braleigh Miller, Addison Wangler and Johannesburg-Lewiston senior Jayden Marlatt set to join the team next year and GHS junior Kennedy Wangler to join after that.

"I am so excited for them to join me. It is a blessing to have more years with them, and I can’t wait," said Kozlowski.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord softball alum Alexis Kozlowski earns list of accolades in first year at Ferris State