First-year Ferris State University head softball coach Jake Schumann has landed one of West Michigan's top prep talents as local product Rylie Haist of Big Rapids High School has inked with the Bulldogs.

A multi-sport standout, Haist has been a two-time Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association All-State pitcher for the Cardinals, leading Big Rapids to the regional finals a year ago. She's also been a two-time Central State Activities Association (CSAA) First Team All-Conference standout.

"Rylie is a pitcher and corner that will bring an enormous amount of work ethic and competitiveness to our program," Schumann said. "Having worked in her high school for the last year and a half, I have seen it first hand.

"Rylie will find a way to be on the field, whether in the circle or at a corner infield position as she is that type of player," he added. "We are extremely excited to call Rylie a Bulldog."

Haist has twice been chosen as the Big Rapids Pioneer All-Area Softball Player of the Year and is a two-time Pioneer All-Area Dream Team honoree on the diamond. Additionally, she has been tabbed as a 2023 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) State Farm Scholar-Athlete Semifinalist along with a 2023 Heisman School Award winner.

During her prep career, Haist has registered multiple school records in both softball and basketball while also becoming a five-time MHSAA softball record holder. She was the 2023 Big Rapids High School Student Body Mayor and a 2023 DAR Good Citizen Award recipient along with being her school's homecoming queen.

On the basketball floor, Haist earned 2022 Associated Press and Detroit News All-State recognition and was a four-time CSAA First Team All-Conference selection. She served three-straight years as her team captain and garnered Pioneer All-Area Dream Team honors the last three years along with being chosen as the 2022 Pioneer All-Area Basketball Player of the Year. Haist was also a two-time Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Individual Academic All- State recipient while playing under her mother in Coach Jessica Haist.

Outside of athletics, Haist has been active in numerous organizations such as the student council, athletic leadership team, climate crew and the key club. She's also a National Honor Society member and holds a a perfect 4.0 grade point average, ranking number one in her class. Haist has also competed in both travel softball along with AAU basketball.

The daughter of Tim and Jessica Haist, Rylie has three younger brothers, Cole, Drew and Ty. She will join the Bulldogs as a freshman in the fall of 2023.