Posted: May 18, 2026

Northwood Softball’s Ashley Ziel Earns First Team D2CCA All-Midwest Region Honors

MIDLAND, MICH. – Northwood softball senior Ashley Ziel earned First Team D2CCA All-Midwest Region honors as announced Monday (May 18) by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).

The D2CCA All-Region teams are selected by athletic communication professionals from across the NCAA Division II Midwest Region, which is comprised of institutions from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

Ziel was recognized as a utility player after another standout season for the Timberwolves and was Northwood's lone selection on the all-region team. She was also the only G-MAC student-athlete named to the First Team. With the First Team honor, Ziel advances to the D2CCA All-America ballot.

The senior appeared in 45 games with 44 starts during the 2026 season and led Northwood with a .395 batting average and .440 on-base percentage. Ziel totaled 58 hits, including 11 doubles, while adding three home runs, 33 RBIs, and 26 runs scored. She also posted a .531 slugging percentage and contributed in the circle with five pitching appearances and 11.2 innings pitched.

The honor marks Ziel's third consecutive D2CCA All-Midwest Region selection after earning second-team honors in both 2024 and 2025. A multi-time all-conference performer, Ziel earned Second Team All-G-MAC honors this season after previously being named First Team All-G-MAC in both 2023 and 2025. She has also collected multiple G-MAC All-Tournament Team selections during her career.

Northwood concluded the 2026 season with a 23-22 overall record and a 15-9 mark in G-MAC play. The Timberwolves placed three student-athletes on the All-G-MAC teams this season, including Brinley Eckerman, Ashley Ziel, and Jenna Kowalski.