PITTSBURG – Pittsburg State University softball head coach Josh Barnes has announced the newest additions to the roster for the 2026 season.
 
"I am very excited to add these talented players to our roster," said Barnes. "These student-athletes will bring a competitive fire to our roster, along with our strong returning core. All of them fit our culture of toughness and unselfishness, they also all come from winning programs. Our incoming freshmen all play on high level travel teams. Along with their high school teams all competing at their respective state tournaments, the group has multiple state championship titles collectively. Our transfers also come from winning programs with national tournament experience at the junior college, DII, and DI levels. I cannot wait to get them in a Gorilla uniform!"
 
Bailey Backhaus: 5-8 Infielder from Newkirk, Okla. | Hutchinson Community College
Backhaus wrapped up a historic two-year career at Hutchinson Community College, earning NJCAA DI First-Team All-American honors in 2025. The first Blue Dragon in 33 years to be named First-Team All-American, and 13^th overall to be named an All-American in program history, Backhaus also claimed the NFCA/NJCAA DI Golden Shoe Award for having the most stolen bases in the division.

The Hutchinson C.C. career leader in hits (202), batting average (.502), triples (16) and tied for the program record for stolen bases with 82, she also finished with 155 runs scored and 254 total bases to rank second in Blue Dragon history.

Prepped at Newkirk High School where she was a four-year starter on the softball field and member of the basketball program as a Tiger. At NHS, Backhaus was named All-State, All-Region and All-District on the softball field while also being named to the Presidents Honor Roll throughout her high school career.

The daughter of Jenny and Allen Backhaus, Bailey plans to major in marketing at Pittsburg State.
 
Allie Brown: 5-2 Utility Player from Fort Scott, Kan. | Fort Scott High School
Brown recently completed a productive prep career at Fort Scott High School for coach Danny Renfro. A four-year starter on the softball field for the Tigers, Brown also played on the basketball team during her time at FSHS.

For her career, Brown finished with a .481 batting average, .603 on-base percentage and 155 hits to go with 11 home runs. A four-time All-State selection that earned All-Conference honors unanimously throughout her prep career on the softball field, helped the Tigers claim three regional championships and finish third at the State Tournament in 2025.

The daughter of Susan Walker and Danny Brown, Allie plans to major in exercise science at Pitt State.
 
Emma Crabb: 5-5 Left Handed Pitcher from Mountain Home, Ark. | Three Rivers Community College
Crabb is coming off a 2025 season where she was named a Second-Team All-American by the NFCA after being named the Region 16 Pitcher of the Year. A two-time All-Conference performer at TRCC, Crabb recorded a school record 629 strikeouts (11.32 per 7 Innings) in 389.0 innings (2^nd in TRCC history), with a 1.67 ERA and 0.92 WHIP to go with a 41-18 record.

In 2025 she finished with a 20-10 record from 38 appearances, 27 starts, 26 being complete games for 209.0 innings, striking out 308 (10.32 per 7 Innings) for a 2.14 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. The 2024 season saw Crabb finish with a 21-8 record from 35 appearances, 26 starts, 23 being complete games for 180.0 innings, striking out 321 (12.48 per 7 Innings) for a 1.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP.

A prep product of Mountain Home High School, where she earned All-State and All-Conference honors during her time as a Lady Bomber.

The daughter of Beverly and Derek Crabb, Emma plans to major in psychology at Pittsburg State.
 
Amanda Gibilisco: 5-4 Right Handed Pitcher from Papillion, Neb. | Papillion La Vista High School
Gibilisco wrapped up a standout prep career at Papilion La Vista High School where she was an All-State performer for the Monarchs. A four-year starter for coach Todd Petersen at PLVHS, Gibilisco helped lead the team to a 2023 Class A State Championship.

The daughter of Debbie and Rick Gibilisco, Amanda plans to major in Nursing at Pittsburg State.
 
Haili Igou: 5-5 Outfielder from Stuart, Okla. | Murray State College
Igou completed a standout two-year career at Murray State College and coach Aaron Mullens. In 132 games as an Aggie she owned a .431/.551/.863 slash line with 183 runs scored, 160 hits, 149 RBI, 99 walks, 37 doubles, 31 home runs, 22 stolen bases and 15 triples. Named a 2024 NJCAA DII First-Team All-American and 2025 NFCA and NJCAA DII Second-Team All-American.

Prepped at Stuart High School for coach Chace Chapman and the Hornets, Igou was a four-year letter winner on the basketball, softball and cross country teams. On the softball field, she was part of the 2022 Class B State Championship team at SHS, earning All-State honors that season after being a four-time All-Conference selection.

The daughter of Shelly and Brandon Iogu, Haili is undecided on her major at Pitt State.
 
Jaylee Jefferson: 5-6 Utility Player from Andover, Kan. | Johnson County Community College
Jefferson finished her Johnson Country Community College career with 111 games played in two seasons and slashed .386/.451/.723. As a Lady Caviler she drove in 121 runs with 24 home runs and 39 doubles while scoring 104 runs herself. Defensively, Jefferson accumulated 217 assists and 126 putouts while helping turn 23 double plays. A two-time first-team All-Region 6 selection, two-time KJCC Player Of the Week and one-time NJCCA Player Of The Week during her time at JCCC.

Prepped at Andover Central High School for coach Rita Frakes and the Jaguars where she was a four-year starter on the softball field while also being involved in the basketball and volleyball teams. While at ACHS, Jefferson hit .403 for her career with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, 41 RBI and 64 runs scored. A Kansas 5A All-State performer and three-time All-League selection.

The daughter of Stana and Doug Jefferson, Jaylee plans to major in exercise science at Pitt State.
 
Sailor Hall: 5-6 Utility Player from West Liberty, Iowa | Minnesota State University – Mankato
Hall comes to Pittsburg State after competing at Minnesota State University – Mankato in 2025. While a Lady Maverick, Hall in 121.2 innings of work in the circle recorded a 2.01 ERA to go with a 14-5 record, 88 strikeouts and a .219 opponent batting average. Recorded two wins against Pitt State in the circle with a 1.00 ERA against the Gorillas.

During the summer of 2024 was part of the inaugural Northwood Summer League franchise Mankato Habaneros, appearing in 36 games and hitting .390 with five home runs, 41 runs scored and 36 RBI. Claimed the Northwood League Home Run Derby Championship and led the Habaneros to the NWSL title.

Prior to her time at Mankato, Hall played at Kirkwood Community College where she recorded a .366 average, 19 home runs and 107 RBI while being named an NFCA Second-Team All-American and Gold Glove winner during her time as an Eagle. Kirkwood in 2024 finished as the NJCAA DII National Runner-Up

Prepped at West Liberty High School for coach Matt Hoeppner and the Comets as a four-year starter on the softball field. While at WLHS, Hall also competed on the soccer, track and basketball programs. The career record holder for doubles and wins in the circle at West Liberty.

The daughter of Trisha and Nathan Hall, Sailor plans to major in business management.
 
Taylor Lundien: 5-5 Infielder from Miami, Okla. | Crowder College
Lundien comes to Pitt State after two seasons at Crowder College, with her freshman campaign being coached by Barnes. An All-Region performer for the Roughriders, Lundien helped lead the team to the NJCAA DI World Series in 2025.

As a prep player, Lundien was a four-year letter winner on the softball field, running cross country and as a member of the powerlifting team at Wyandotte High School. On the softball field for coach Kendall Young, Lundien hit .483 for her career with 174 runs driven in and a school record 13 home runs. During her time at WHS, Lundien would be named All-State, All-Region and All-District while being named Female Athlete of the Year her senior season.

The daughter of Tennille and Chance Lundien, Taylor plans to major in social work at Pittsburg State.
 
Kylee Merritt: 5-4 Infielder from Pocola, Okla. | Pocola High School
Merritt completed a productive prep career at Pocola High School for coach Eddie Combs and the Indians. A four-year starter at PHS on the softball field, Merritt helped lead the Indians to a 67-6 record over the past two seasons. As a team Pocola High finished as Oklahoma 2A Fastpitch State runners-up from 2022-24. For her career she accumulated 10 home runs and drove in 115, while being named an Oklahoma 2A All-State, All-Region, All-District and All-Conference performer.

During her time at PHS, Merritt was named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll, while being the Student Council President and a part of the FCA Leadership team.

The daughter of Kendra and Joshua Merritt, Kylee plans to major in business at Pitt State.
 
Brylee Rupiper: 5-6 Utility Player from Gretna, Neb. | Gretna High School
Rupiper completed a standout prep career at Gretna High School where she received the Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska honors her senior season. An OWH Class A First-Team, OWH All-Omaha Area, EMC All-Conference and Lincoln Journal First-Team Class A All-State performer during her career at GHS. Helped lead the Dragons to the 2024 Class A State Championships, going an undefeated 38-0 while hitting .500 with 24 runs driven in for coach Bill Heard.

The daughter of Jodi and Matt Rupiper, Brylee plans to major in exercise science at PSU.
 
Erica Schertz: 5-9 Right Handed Pitcher from Miami, Okla. | Wichita State University
Schertz spent the last two seasons at Wichita State University where she redshirted in her initial campaign as a Shocker. Started one game in the circle, appearing in five games for 5.2 innings of work.

Prepped at Fairland High School for coach Chad Ross, where she was an NFCA Region II First-Team selection and four-year letter starter and captain. In the circle her senior season, Schertz recorded 248 strikeouts with a 1.80 ERA and 25-7 record, as a hitter she hit .522 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI. For her career at FHS she amassed 114 wins in the circle with a 1.40 ERA and 1,070 strikeouts, as a hitter she hit .467 with 35 home runs and 182 RBI.

The daughter of Rhonda and Josh Schertz, Erica plans to major in Biology.
 
Rachael Schlotter: 5-4 Infielder from Granger, Iowa | Kirkwood Community College
Schlotter comes to PSU after two seasons at Kirkwood Community College for coach Eric Frese and the Eagles. For her career at Kirkwood she finished with a .371 batting average and 505 on-base percentage on her way to being named All-Region twice and an NJCAA DII Rawlings Gold Glove winner in 2024 at shortstop.

Prepped at Johnston High School where she was a part of the 2019 Iowa 5A fourth-place team in the State Tournament, helping the Dragons to a pair of conference championships during her time at JHS.

Plans to major in strategic communication at PSU.
 
Lauren Turner: 5-8 Utility Player from Diamond, Mo. | Diamond High School
Turner recently completed a productive prep career at Diamond High School, helping the Wildcats to the 2022 and 2024 Missouri Class 2 Spring Championships while finishing as State Runner-Up in 2025. A four-year starter for coach Kelsey Parrish on the softball field at DHS, Turner was also involved in the track and field, volleyball and basketball teams.

For her career on the softball field, Turner finished with an above .400 batting average and 30 home runs. A four-time All-State, All-Region, All-District and All-Conference performer on the diamond while also picking up All-State, All-District and All-Conference honors on the volleyball court.

The daughter of Erin and Daniel Turner, Lauren plans to major in exercise science at Pittsburg State.