McPHERSON, Kan. – Wednesday was the first Signing Day ceremony of the 2026-27 school year at McPherson High School. Four Bullpup softball players penned their name on the dotted line to play collegiately in 2027-28.
Rylie Whitfield signed to play at the Division I level at Southeast Missouri State, Carmin Pavlovich is playing in the Jayhawk Conference at Hutchinson, Pera Bauer is head to NCAA DII Maryville University and Ashlyn Schroeder will play in the NAIA at Midland University in Fremont, Neb.
All four players helped McPherson to a 21-8 season and the 4A State Quarterfinals in 2026.
Pavlovich was the AVCTL Division III MVP in 2026 after dominating on both the mound and at the plate. She pitched 98 innings, going 11-4 with a 3.50 ERA, striking out 101 batters in the process. She also hit .438 at the plate with three home runs and 28 RBI, adding eight doubles, two triples and 26 runs scored.
“Hopefully they can use me anywhere,” said Pavlovich of going to Hutchinson Community College. “I plan on being a utility and pitcher, so hopefully I can get some time on the field and maybe go somewhere bigger after Hutch.”
Whitfield, who was named the AVCTL Division III volleyball MVP earlier this week, is coming off of an outstanding softball season in 2026 as well where she was a first team all-league pick. She led the Bullpups at the plate, hitting .495 with a 1.392 OPS. She had eight home runs and 37 RBI, adding 47 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, 15 walks and 11 stolen bases.
When asked what stood out about Southeast Missouri State, Whitfield said: “Definitely the coaching staff. The coaches loved me and I loved them. It just felt like family.”
Bauer is also coming off of a season where she was a first team all-league pick in the outfield. She hit .468 for the season with 13 RBI, two doubles and two triples. She also added 36 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and nine walks.
Bauer is excited to head to Maryville University next. “I just really clicked with the players and the coach and they have a really good business program that goes with sports marketing so that really stood out to me”, said Bauer.
Much like Pavlovich, Schroeder was also strong at both the plate and on the mound in 2026 for the Bullpups. She was a second team all-league first basemen, hitting .388 with a home run and 23 RBI. She added 16 runs scored. As a pitcher, she threw 73.1 innings, striking out 48 with a 10-4 record and a 3.72 ERA.
“I was looking for a really good nursing program that also had a really good softball program and I feel like Midland works with me academically and athletically and they were just a really good fit for me,” said Schroeder.
All four players will look to help lead the Bullpups to their third straight state tournament appearance in 2027 before heading off to their respective colleges in late summer.
