MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University Softball added four recruits to their 2025 signing class, bringing in four position players to the class. Head Coach Alisa Goler brings in a trio of in-state recruits. Nat Pacyga, who comes from the north side of the state, Maddy Huels from southern Illinois, and Addie McLaughlin from Sycamore, Illinois. Angie Ortiz, an infielder from Chino, California rounds out the group. 

"We are thrilled to announce our 2025 signees. Maddy, Angie, Nat, & Addie are going to be a fantastic addition to our program both on and off the field. We adore their character and their families. We are extremely proud of how they have performed in the classroom to date. And we absolutely love what they'll bring to the softball field - they'll push us in several positions. We expect great things from this group." said Coach Goler. 

Nat Pacyga, an infielder/outfielder from Lemont, Illinois, is the first signee for the 2025 softball class. Pacyga is a student at Lemont High School and plays travel ball for the New Lenox Lightning. Pacyga won a pair of IHSA state championships with Lemont in 2022 and 2023, hitting .360 with 72 RBI over her first three years with Lemont. Pacyga has been named an all-conference player twice and was named second-team all-state on one occasion. With the New Lenox Lightning, Pacyga Started in the 2025 IDT Boulder All-Star game. 

Pacyga cites her mother as the biggest influence on her softball career, saying she "has been the most influential person in my sports career because she has been someone I could always count on…she has been my biggest cheerleader." When asked why she chose Western Illinois to continue her athletic and academic career, she stated "I chose Western because it fits both my academic and athletic needs. Western is one of the only schools where I can go and get my paramedic license, fire science medic degree, and play softball at the NCAA Division One level." 

Maddy Huels, a middle infielder and outfielder from Carlyle, Illinois, will also join the Leathernecks in 2025. Huels attends Mater Dei Catholic in Breese, Illinois, where she was named defensive player of the year in her sophomore year, and offensive player of the year in her junior season. At Mater Dei, Huels was teammates with current Leatherneck, Audrey Clark, and has batted .314 through her first three seasons.  Huels currently plays travel ball with Illinois Force. 

Huels stated that the coaching staff was a large part of her commitment to Western Illinois, saying "I love the coaches so much and love the atmosphere that comes with the team, and I also loved the campus and community." When asked who was the biggest influence on her softball career, Huels stated that her grandmother, who was also a softball player, played a large part. "My grandma played softball growing up and got offered a position on a traveling pro team but declined to start a family and business with my grandfather," said Huels. 

Angie Ortiz is a native of Chino, California, attending Chino High School. Ortiz is a middle infielder/utility player who has earned both first-team and second-team all-league honors throughout her softball career. Playing travel softball for Empire Fastpitch, Ortiz was a Premier Girls Fastpitch qualifier in 2023. 

Ortiz stated that her favorite softball memory so far was hitting her first over-the-fence home run on my mom's birthday. When asked why she chose to continue her athletic and academic career at Western Illinois, Ortiz stated "I loved the campus, the coaches, the academic support and opportunities they provide."

The last addition to the 2025 class is outfielder Addie McLaughlin, from Sycamore, Illinois. As a Freshman, McLaughlin was named to the Interstate 8 All-Conference Team becoming the first Freshman in Sycamore High School program history to ever do so. She would follow her Freshman campaign by winning team defensive MVP as a Sophomore and was named to the ICA All-State Second Team. As a Junior, Addie was named to her third straight All-Area Daily Chronicle First Team and became the fourth player in Sycamore Softball history to be named to the ICA All-State First Team. 

McLaughlin chose WIU because of the feeling Macomb gave her. "The town of Macomb had a home like feeling. Western Illinois University's campus seemed so supportive and an amazing place where I can see myself grow!". 

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