The Saginaw Valley State University seniors Macy Irelan (Owosso, Mich. / Owosso HS) and Olivia Elliott (Baroda, Mich. / Berrien Springs HS), along with junior Aalana Kimble (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood HS) were named to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Midwest Region first team for the second consecutive season on Monday afternoon. All three were also named to the NFCA All-Midwest Region first team last week.
Irelan led the Cardinal pitching staff in strikeouts with 151. She has made 28 appearances and 22 starts with an ERA of 2.00. The 2025 GLIAC Pitcher of the Year led the team with 6.88 strikeouts per seven innings and pitched 153.2 innings during her second season with the team.
"Macy put together another outstanding season in the circle. She is undefeated in conference play and finds a way to work out of any situation that might present itself," lauded Schalk. "In my opinion, she has become a more complete pitcher this year. She is a competitor and typically will find a way to beat the hitter that is standing in the batter's box."
Elliott led the Cardinals in slugging percentage, home runs, and RBI. She was second on the team in batting average and hits. The reigning GLIAC Player of the Year has recorded two or more hits in a single game 12 times this season, with a season-high four hits in the second game at Roosevelt on April 12. She hit two home runs in a 12-2 win over Davenport on March 22, going a perfect 2-for-2.
"Olivia is one of the most feared hitters in the country, and her numbers in conference play were simply incredible," said head coach Ryan Schalk. "Obviously, she hits for power, but she also doesn't strike out. She is a complete hitter who can drive the ball but also foul off good pitchers' pitches to get another good one to drive as well as take the ball the other way for a single when the situation calls for it. She is the best power hitter I've ever seen and really carried us offensively throughout the year."
Kimble leads SVSU in almost every offensive category this season: at-bats, hits, doubles, and batting average. She currently ranks first in D2 in Toughest to Strike Out. The 2026 GLIAC Pitcher of the Year was dominant inside the circle this season. She led all Cardinal pitchers in appearances, wins, complete games, innings pitched, and ERA. She recorded two no-hitters this season to join teammate Macy Irelan as the only SVSU pitchers to achieve more than one in a single season.
"Aalana is unlike any athlete I've ever coached. Her natural ability is off the charts, and she took her game to a whole new level this year with her improved approach at the plate. Offensively, she is the toughest out in our lineup, and her ability to cover the entire plate makes her an elite hitter. As a pitcher, she continues to dominate teams with her speed, movement, and ability to locate pitches. Defensively, she can run down most balls in the outfield. She is a true 5 tool player if I've ever seen one," said Schalk.
The Cardinals' season came to an end on Saturday in the NCAA D2 Midwest Regional Final against UIndy. The team finished with a 39-16 overall record. It is the fifth-straight season with over 30 wins for the program. SVSU also matched a program best 23 wins in GLIAC play after claiming its third conference Regular Season crown, second outright, and the fifth-straight GLIAC Tournament Championship. The Cardinals are only the second GLIAC team to win five tournaments in a row. SVSU also claimed the GLIAC Player of the Year award (Elliott). Kimble became the third-consecutive Cardinal pitcher to win GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, and Ryan Schalk grabbed his third-straight GLIAC Coach of the Year honor.