NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Softball program is proud to welcome five new Redbirds to its 2026 signing class, as announced by fourth-year head coach, Tina Kramos.
"We are excited to add five young women to the Redbird Softball Family," said Kramos. "This class brings an amazing energy and great deal of talent and versatility to our program"
Kate Skinner | 5-9 | L/L | Pitcher | Brentwood, Calif. | Liberty HS
Prior to Illinois State: Skinner is a three-year varsity softball athlete at Liberty High School. Skinner earned the league's Most Valuable Pitcher award and Cal-Hi All-State honors in her sophomore and junior season. Her team won the Bay Valley All-League (BVAL) title those same years, along with winning North Coast Sectionals and finishing runner-up at State her junior season. Skinner is a two-time BVAL Pitcher of the Year honoree and a First Team All Northern California selection as a senior. She finished her sophomore season undefeated in league play and 11-3 overall on the mound with a 1.14 ERA in 19 appearances.
Travel Team: Skinner has played for Universal Macias, led by her high school coach, Brandi Macias, since 2022.
Personal: She is the daughter of Kevin and Jamie Skinner and has one sibling, Kylie. Skinner chose Illinois State because of the coaching staff and hometown feel on campus. She plans to major in Exercise Science and pursue a career in physical therapy.
Gianna Galarza | 5-6 | R/R | Infield | San Francisco | St. Ignatius College Prep
Prior to Illinois State: Galarza is a three-year varsity softball athlete at St. Ignatius College Prep. She has earned first-team all-league honors all three years, propelling her team to three straight division playoff appearances. Galarza was named Offensive Player of the Year in her junior season after slashing .515/.607/.794 with 24 RBIs and four home runs. During her sophomore season, Galarza batted .441 with 36 RBIs and boasted a perfect fielding percentage. Galarza recorded a career-high .567 batting average as a freshman. She is also a three-time Honor Roll recipient.
Travel Team: Galarza has played for Warrior Academy Softball, coached by Ray McDonald, for seven years.
Personal: She is the daughter of Chris and Eileen Galarza and has one sibling, Julianne. Her father, Chris, played baseball at Skyline College and Cumberland University. Galarza plans to major in nursing and pursue a career as a labor & delivery nurse.
Ryanne Pozza | 5-7 | R/R | Infield | Sherwood, Ark. | Sylvan Hills HS
Prior to Illinois State: Pozza attended North Little Rock High School her freshman year and led the team in batting average, doubles, home runs and RBIs. She was named to the 6A All-Conference and All-State teams that same year. Pozza moved to Sylvan Hills High School for her sophomore season. She led her team in every offensive category that year, slashing .571/.682/1.143 with eight doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBIs. In her junior season, Pozza batted .648 with a 1.911 OPS in 23 games played. She is a two-time 5A All-Conference and All-State selection and was named the 5A Offensive Player of the Year as a junior.
Travel Team: Pozza has played for Top Gun National the last three seasons, batting .386 with 42 doubles, 28 home runs and 98 RBIs. She ranked 56th overall and 32nd at her position (catcher) in the Class of 2026 Extra Innings Elite rankings. Her team won the Triple Crown Sports National Championship in 2025.
Personal: She is the daughter of Chris and Jackie Pozza and has one sibling, Jase. Her father, Chris, is the Director of Player Development at Arkansas Prospects Baseball Academy. He played collegiate baseball at Southern Arkansas and was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Her mother, Jackie, played softball at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Pozza plans to major in exercise science with aspirations to become a sports physical therapist. She chose Illinois State because she liked the coaching staff and felt at home.
Alexandra Kiefer | 5-8 | R/R | Utility | Roselle, Ill. | Lake Park HS
Prior to Illinois State: Kiefer is a three-sport varsity athlete, competing in softball, basketball and volleyball at Lake Park High School. She is a three-year starter on the softball team and two-year starter on the basketball squad. She has helped Lake Park win two Regional Championships and the program's first Sectional Championship since 2008. She was named a team captain for the volleyball team as a senior. Kiefer has received Academic All-Conference honors every year and has been on the highest honor roll each semester.
Travel Team: She has played for the Roselle Rockers and Chicago Cheetahs.
Personal: She is the daughter of Brian and Stephanie Kiefer and has one sibling, Jackson. Her mother, Stephanie, played softball at ISU under Melinda Fischer, the winningest coach in program history. Her father and uncle, Zach Grenberger also attended ISU. Kiefer plans to major in sports communication. She chose Illinois State because she grew up a Redbird fan and the campus has always felt like home. She attended her first ISU Homecoming at 2 months old, and her family returns to campus whenever they can.
Emillia Andrews | 5-4 | R/R | Infield | Bluffton, Ind. | Eastern Howard HS
Prior to Illinois State: Andrews is a two-year varsity softball athlete at Eastern Howard High School. She is a two-year Honor Roll recipient and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a two-time All-Conference and two-time second-team All-State honoree. Her freshman year, Andrews batted .494 with 41 hits to propel her team to a conference championship. She hit .527 with 33 RBIs and blasted six home runs to receive MVP honors as a sophomore. She played travel ball in the spring and summer during her junior year.
Travel Team: Andrews has played for Iowa Premier Fastpitch since 2023.
Personal: She is the daughter of Travis and Wendi Andrews and has four siblings: Shad, Logan, Autumn and Jocelyn. Her cousin, Aaliyah Andrews, played softball at Indiana University from 2021-24. Andrews plans to major in exercise science and pursue a career in physical therapy or pediatrics.
