NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Softball program is proud to welcome three new Redbirds to its 2027 signing class, as announced by fifth-year head coach Tina Kramos.
The signees represent three Illinois high schools and bring experience across the circle, infield and utility positions.
"We are very excited to welcome Gracie, Hayden and Curin into the Redbird Softball family," said Kramos. "They are exceptional athletes and young women who have been successful on the field and in the classroom. Hayden and Curin add variety to our pitching staff, and Gracie brings us speed and the triple threat ability from the left side. We are looking forward to their journey as Redbirds!"
Hayden Pfeifer | 5-9 | R/R | Pitcher/Infield | Mazon, Ill. | Seneca HS
Prior to Illinois State: Pfeifer helped lead Seneca to a runner-up finish at the 2026 Illinois State Softball Tournament. She earned 2026 Times Softball Player of the Year honors after posting a 21-1 record in the circle with a 1.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts while also batting .479 with 13 home runs. She was named to the Illinois Coaches Association Class 2A All-State first team as well as being a unanimous selection to both the Tri-County All-Conference and Times All-Area first teams. In the classroom, Pfeifer is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned Honor Roll recognition throughout all four years of high school.
Travel Team: She is a member of the New Lenox Lightning.
Personal: Born March 14, 2009. She is the daughter of Lisa and Keith Pfeifer and has two brothers, Owen and Blake. Her father, Keith, played baseball at Joliet Junior College. She plans to major in political science. Pfeifer chose Illinois State for its welcoming campus environment and the connections she built with the coaching staff during her visit. She was drawn to the program's facilities, close-knit campus community and proximity to home, along with the opportunities available to her as a Redbird.
Gracie Ahrens | 5-1 | L/R | Utility | East Peoria, Ill. | East Peoria Community HS
Prior to Illinois State: Ahrens is a three-year varsity athlete with a decorated high school career at East Peoria Community High School. Ahrens has earned All-Conference recognition in each of her first three seasons, including unanimous First-Team All-Conference honors as a junior. She was named Second-Team All-State as a sophomore before earning First-Team All-State recognition during her junior season. She also received All-Area Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. Off the field, Ahrens serves as president of the National Honor Society and has maintained a 4.0-plus GPA throughout high school.
Travel Team: Ahrens has played for the Peoria Sluggers, coached by Renee Enos Gass.
Personal: Born July 31, 2009. She is the daughter of Jamie and Ross Ahrens and has two siblings, Elise and Jackson. Her brother, Jackson, is a freshman baseball player for Northern Illinois. She plans to major in exercise science. Ahrens chose Illinois State because it felt like home from the beginning. She was drawn to the welcoming people throughout the program and campus, as well as an environment where she felt everyone genuinely wanted to see her succeed.
Curin Oberman | 5-7 | R/R | Pitcher | East Dubuque, Ill. | East Dubuque HS
Prior to Illinois State: Oberman is a three-year varsity athlete and has put together a standout career at East Dubuque High School. She is a two-time Conference MVP and has earned First-Team All-State honors once and Second-Team All-State recognition twice. She was also named Dubuque Area Podcast Player of the Year in 2026 after surpassing 500 career strikeouts while hitting .384 and blasting seven home runs. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Oberman is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in the Dubuque Area Youth Leadership Council (DAYLC).
Travel Team: Oberman has played for Iowa Premier Fastpitch for several years.
Personal: Born March 25, 2009. She is the daughter of Stacy and Jim Oberman and has two siblings, Chloe and Cross. She plans to study communication sciences and disorders.Oberman chose Illinois State for the welcoming atmosphere and the relationships she developed with the coaching staff and current players. She felt the program was the right fit for both her and her family and looks forward to beginning the next five years of her academic and athletic career in Normal.
