Division 3 Ravenna softball ranked ninth in State Champs' all-division top 20: 'People are going to come after us'

Bulldogs return seven full-time starters, have high expectations for 2026 season

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:34am

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The Ravenna softball team, which advanced to the MHSAA Division 3 state semifinals in 2025 with a 35-5 record, is ranked ninth in the State Champs Michigan all-division top-20 rankings for the 2026 season. The Bulldogs return seven full-time starters and have high expectations, but know they will have a target on their backs as the small-school powerhouse.

Why it matters

Ravenna has been a consistent contender in Division 3 softball, making deep playoff runs in recent years. The team's high ranking despite losing key players to graduation shows the program's sustained excellence and the respect it has earned statewide. As a smaller school, Ravenna will have to fend off challenges from larger programs as it pursues its first state championship.

The details

Ravenna swept a doubleheader against Division 1 Jenison 6-0 and 10-4 to improve to 4-0 on the young season. The Bulldogs are led by junior left-handed pitcher Natalie Rosel, a Central Michigan commit, as well as senior catcher Emily Postema (Cornerstone) and senior second baseman Riley Homoly, both of whom were all-state honorable mention in 2025. Junior shortstop Reese Herremans (Saginaw Valley State) is another key player.

  • Ravenna advanced to the MHSAA Division 3 state semifinals in 2025 with a 35-5 record.
  • On Tuesday, State Champs Michigan published its 2026 all-division top-20 softball rankings, with Ravenna listed ninth.
  • On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Ravenna swept a doubleheader against Division 1 Jenison 6-0 and 10-4 to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The players

Natalie Rosel

A junior left-handed pitcher and Central Michigan University commit, Rosel was an all-state honorable mention in the utility position last season.

Emily Postema

A senior catcher who is committed to Cornerstone University, Postema was an all-state honorable mention in 2025.

Riley Homoly

A senior second baseman who was an all-state honorable mention in 2025.

Reese Herremans

A junior shortstop who is committed to Saginaw Valley State University, Herremans is an all-state-caliber player.

Dave Sherman

The head coach of the Ravenna softball team.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to work hard – people are going to come after us. They knew what we had last year. Taking a day off, that's not going to cut it. We've got to work harder and harder to win it, to follow through to the end this year.”

— Reese Herremans, Junior shortstop

“It's a lot of pressure obviously, but I like the pressure. I like being able to help other people and I know what it was like to be in her position so I can help her a ton with that and just getting over that nervousness to do your job.”

— Natalie Rosel, Junior pitcher

What’s next

The Ravenna softball team will return from spring break and look to continue its strong start to the 2026 season. The Bulldogs have several key games against highly ranked opponents, including Division 1 powers Hudsonville and Grand Haven, that will test their mettle as they pursue the program's first state championship.

The takeaway

Ravenna softball has established itself as a small-school powerhouse, making deep playoff runs in recent years. Despite losing key players to graduation, the Bulldogs are ranked ninth in the state and have high expectations for the 2026 season. The team knows it will have a target on its back, but is embracing the challenge as it seeks to capture the program's first state title.