On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Springfield Twp seniors McKayla Keever & Ashley Schulz were recognized for committing to play collegiate softball.
McKayla McKeever – The Catholic University of America (Softball)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Catholic, Scranton, Millersville, West Chester, Salisbury
Reasons for choosing Catholic: “I just really liked the campus and the team – I loved all the girls on the team, and I really liked everything the school has to offer and the location of it and everything.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about 
playing in college probably freshman year. I just really love the game, and I knew I wanted to continue playing after high school.”
Coach Heather Gehlhaus: “McKayla transferred (to Springfield) her sophomore year, and she was a three-year varsity player. She played center field and was a really strong hitter for us. We’re going to miss her bat – she was our leadoff hitter, and her on-base percentage was awesome. Any time she got on, it really helped our team, and she also made really good plays in the outfield. She was a captain and is more of a leader by example. She’s not the most vocal, but she is a great leader. A lot of the girls look up to her, and she does it by modeling and just being who she is – her hustle. The other players see that, and they follow suit.
“She just does anything you ask of her. I teach at the elementary school and then I come to practice, and she’s the one I call – hey, can you grab this for me? Hey, can you do this, and she gets it done. She’s a kid you want on your team. She’s quiet, but you know she’s there for you and you know you’re supported by her. She never gives you a hard time. She’s so sweet. She’s that kid – you look at her, and she knows what you need her to do, and she does it.”
“McKayla and Ashley are two very special kids. It’s going to be really hard to not only lose one of them but both of them. In my first year of coaching, they were sophomores, and we did not have any freshmen. Both of them are irreplaceable. They’re very similar but also very different, and they really complement each other. They were great captains and leaders together.”
About McKayla:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: The Parent Trap
Favorite music: Country
Ashley Schulz – Kutztown University (Softball)
Major: Environmental Science
Final list of colleges: Kutztown, Marist, Millersville, Rowan, TCNJ, Wilmington
Reasons for choosing Kutztown: “I just really loved Kutztown. They have a great program, the coaches are amazing – they have an incredible record. My head coach has a thousand wins. I was astounded by how successful the team is and just
how connected they all were.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “Ever since I played t-ball with my sister, I just loved the sport, I loved the game. I wanted to do this.”
Coach Heather Gehlhaus: “Ashley has been a varsity player for four years. She’s one of those kids - I said when she was getting recruited that any coach would be lucky to have her on their team. She’s a great leader – she leads by example, but she also can be vocal. I have never met a kid that works harder than Ashley. That’s why she is as good as she is because she works hard. She’s extremely humble and is just that player that every coach would dream of having on their team.
“Ashley pitched for us for two years, and this year she played first base for us. She’s an extremely good hitter. She was Player of the Year for the SOL Freedom Division, and she got first team all-state also. She’s an unbelievable hitter, and she’s super clutch, but I think the biggest thing is she’s just a great kid. She works so hard, and anything you ask of her – she does. You ask her to help the younger kids – she helps the younger kids. You ask her to do something -she does it. She’s all around not just a great player, she’s also a great kid.”
About Ashley:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite TV show: Outer Banks
Favorite music: Pop
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