CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois softball announced the addition of six student-athletes on Wednesday. Micaela Booth, Skylar Brennan, Christina Crawford, Eden Echevarria, Abby Sabalaskey, and Amanda Smith will join the roster ahead of the 2026 campaign, head coach Tyra Perry's 11th season at the helm of the program.
Micaela Booth // Allen, Texas // Allen High School // Western Michigan // Prolific Fastpitch // INF/UTL // 5-7
Notes: Transfer from Western Michigan... Slashed .272/.472/.359 in her first collegiate season… Led the team with 30 RBI… Posted 37 hits with 13 for extra bases… Earned 18 walks… Blasted seven homers on the year… Went 1-for-1 in stolen bases… Prior to WMU, played first, second, and third base and was also a pitcher... In the summer of 2023 with Prolific Fastpitch, she batted .310 and had an OPS of .793... Hit an average of .318 AVG, with an OPS of .771 in the fall season... During the 2022 season, she led her U16 club team Texas Glory to a third-place finish at the Tulsa Elite Invitational... Batted .317 and had an OPS of .934... Would also play for Prolific Fastpitch in the summer of 2022 and posted a .318 batting average and an OPS of .771… Daughter of Clifford and Melissa Fayne… Has three siblings… Hobbies include drawing, skateboarding, and record collecting.
Coach Perry on Booth: "We were searching for someone with a powerful bat and the ability to change the game with one swing—and all signs pointed to Micaela. Her infectious personality, combined with her relentless drive to win, made her stand out from the start. We're thrilled that she has chosen to join our team. We believe she'll make an immediate impact on our program and in the Big Ten."
Why Illinois? "I felt at home immediately. There are so many resources provided on and off the field. Playing some of the best competition in the country while also getting an amazing education is such a privilege that I'm happy I get to have!"
Skylar Brennan // Lee's Summit, Mo. // Lee's Summit West High School // Florida SouthWestern State // OF // 5-7
Notes: Transfer from Florida SouthWestern State... Guided the Buccaneers to Citrus Conference titles in 2024 and 2025... Led FSW to a runner-up finish at the 2025 NJCAA World Series and a seventh-place finish in 2024... 2025 NFCA All-America First Team... 2025 NJCAA Divison 1 First Team All-American... 2025 NFCA All-South Region... 2025 NJCAA Divison 1 Rawlings Gold Glove Award... 2025 NJCAA Divison 1 World Series All-Tournament Team... 2025 FCSAA Tournament Team MVP... 2025 All-FCSAA First Team... 2025 All-Citrus Conference First Team... 2025 Academic All-American... Slashed .448/.505/.693 as a sophomore in 2025... Tallied a career-high seven home runs in 2025... Recorded 86 hits, 51 RBI, 22 doubles, two triples, 11 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored... 2024 All-Citrus Conference... 2024 FCSAA All-Tournament Team... 2024 NJCAA All-Academic Third Team... 2024 FCSAA Academic All-State... As a freshman in 2024, slashed .354/.428/.526... Posted five home runs and 59 RBI in 2024... Ranked third on the team with 62 hits as a freshman ... Played in all 67 games in her debut season with the Buccaneers... Finished the 2024 season with 62 hits, 59 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 11 doubles, and two triples... Daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Brennan... Father Kevin played baseball at Bryant... Has two older brothers, Brad and Matt.
Coach Perry on Brennan:Â "Skylar comes from a winning tradition at Florida SouthWestern State, where she was coached by one of my former players, Kellie Quarles-Webb. Kellie had nothing but praise for Skylar's leadership and character. She is a natural athlete and brings the lefty presence we were looking for in our lineup. We are thrilled to welcome her to Illinois."
Why Illinois? "I transferred to the University of Illinois because I wanted more: more competition, more challenge, and a bigger stage to lead from. It's a chance to compete at the highest level, closer to home, in a program that values both athletic excellence and academic achievement. I'm not just here to be part of the team; I'm here to set the tone, push the standard, and lead from the front. Playing Division I softball in the Big Ten is an opportunity I've worked for all my life, and Illinois is where I know I'll grow—not just as an athlete, but as a person. I'm built for this level, and I'm ready to show it."
Christina Crawford // Elkhorn, Wis. // Elkhorn High School // St. Thomas (Minn.) // Wisconsin Lightning Fastpitch // RHP // 6-2
Notes: Transfer from St. Thomas (Minn.)… In 2025, slashed .143/.143/.200, playing in 23 games while making 19 starts… Posted two hits and two RBI… In the circle, owned a 5.70 ERA and a 7-5 record… Pitched two complete game shutouts… Tossed 85.1 innings while fanning 74 batters... Played in 36 games and started in 29 in 2024… Hit .244/.340/.489 (all career highs) in 45 at-bats… Tallied 11 hits, including two doubles (career high) and three home runs (career high) for 22 total bases (career high)… Scored six runs and brought home 12 RBI, both career highs… Walked career-high seven times and struck out 13 times… Hit two home runs against Loyola Chicago (March 1) for a career-high eight total bases and four RBI… Hit first-career double against Southern Illinois Edwardsville (Mar. 2)… Recorded four putouts, 25 assists, and two errors for a .935 fielding percentage… Pitched to a 7-17 win-loss record in 30 appearances and 21 starts in the circle… Tossed career-high 138.2 innings to a 5.15 earned run average and 1.69 WHIP… Struck out 68 batters and walked 49… Tossed career-high 14 complete games… Struck out season-high eight batters against Kansas City (Mar. 23)… Earned the win in six of her last eight starts against Green Bay, North Dakota (twice), South Dakota (Twice), and Green Bay with only losses to Power 5 opponent Iowa State, and regular season Summit League champion South Dakota State… Broke single-season program records with 138.2 innings pitched and 14 complete games… In 2022, played in 29 games, making 27 appearances and 23 starts in the circle... Went 8-11... Pitched to a 4.99 ERA in 130.1 innings... Tallied 100 strikeouts, 26 of which were looking... Tossed 13 complete games, one of which was a shutout performance... Collected one save... Offensively, hit .232 with a .317 OBP... Finished with 13 base hits, four runs scored, two home runs, and six RBI... Her season high of nine innings came against Evansville on March 13, when she also struck out 19 batters... Her 19 strikeouts against the Purple Aces set a new program record... Had a three-hit performance, including a home run and four RBI, against Green Bay on May 3... Opened the season with an inning of no-run ball against Ball State on Feb. 11, while also tallying her first collegiate save... Her first pitching win came against Evansville when she struck out 19 hitters... Helped lead the team to an upset victory at No. 22 South Florida with a complete game victory, striking out two... Her first Summit League victory came at Western Illinois on March 27... Earned a road win at Kansas City on April 3, tossing seven innings, striking out five Roos... Also collected wins on the mound against South Dakota (April 10) and North Dakota (April 23)... At home, allowed one run and struck out seven against Green Bay on May 3, earning the win... Finished the season at North Dakota State with a one-run complete game win on May 7... Hit her first collegiate home run against Lehigh on March 19... Daughter of Mark and Windy Crawford… Has two siblings… Hobbies include reading and shopping.
Coach Kirsten Verdun on Crawford: "We can't wait to welcome Christina to the Illinois pitching staff. As a graduate transfer with more than 350 innings of Division I pitching experience under her belt, Christina will contribute with her dynamic change of speed and ability to elicit weak contact in the circle. She will also bring a ton of experience and maturity to the Illini. We can't wait to see the impact she makes on our pitching staff!"
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois for many reasons. One main reason was the community and people. Everyone that I've met so far have been really helpful and nice. Another reason is because my family and I have always been big Illini fans. Lastly, the campus is gorgeous, and the athletic facilities are really nice."
Eden Echevarría // Antioch, Ill. // Antioch Community High School // Wisconsin // Illinois Chill Gold // OF/UTL // 5-3
Notes: Transfer from Wisconsin… Appeared in six games as a pinch runner in 2025… Played in 34 games while starting in eight her freshman year... Finished the season 8-for-28 with a home run... Appeared multiple times as a pinch-runner, scoring ten runs on the season... Collected her first career hit on February 15 against Georgia, and hit her first-career home run against UMBC on March 15... Split time between outfield and second base… In high school, named First Team All-State twice and Second Team All-State one… Three-time All-Conference Team… ACHS Female Athlete of the Year… Slashed .500/.512/.881/1.393 her senior year in 36 games with 11 HRs, 36 RBI, 56 runs, and 20 stolen bases... Team was state runner-up in Illinois 3A… Puerto Rico International Challenge, Gold Medal Winner in 2023… Daughter of Saul & Yesenia Echevarria... Has one brother, Hayden… Hidden talent includes solving Rubix Cubes… Played softball in high school with Gabrielle Debevec.
Coach Perry on Echevarria: "Eden can truly do it all. As a versatile utility player, she can chase down balls in the outfield and turn a double play without missing a beat. It's always a great day when in-state talent chooses to stay home. Eden plays the game with undeniable fire and passion, and we're excited to have her bring that energy to our program."
Why Illinois? "The Fighting Illini are awesome, Big Ten softball team pushes me to be my best, and the university's top-notch academics and lively campus make it the perfect place to grow—both as a player and a person."
Abby Sabalaskey // Westville, Ill. // Westville High School // Northern Kentucky // Peoria Sluggers Gold // LHP // 5-8
Notes: Transfer from Northern Kentucky… Four-year varsity letterwinner… Owned a 0.64 career ERA with 73 wins, 1,007 strikeouts, 14 perfect games, and 26 no-hitters… Named to the All-Conference First Team four times… Earned All-County First Team honors four times… Secured All-Area First Team accolades four times… Received All-State Second Team honors three times and All-State First Team honors once…. News-Gazette Female Athlete of the Year in 2024... Daughter of Joseph and Heather Sabalaskey… Has one sister… Grandfather, John Sabalaskey was a pitcher at Illinois and won Big Ten championships in 1952-53.
Coach Verdun on Sabalaskey: "We are excited to have Abby join the Illini pitching staff! She is a proven winner and holds several IHSA pitching records. The lefty's competitiveness and elite breaking pitches will help her make an impact for the Illini. As a younger pitcher in the state, she has a ton of talent, and it means a lot to keep her home and playing for the University of Illinois."Â
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because I love how close it is to home. It will be awesome to see all my fans and supporters in the stands this season! With everything that my family has helped me through the last few months, I'm happy that they will have an easier time getting to my games to watch me compete and cheer me on. I look forward to carrying on my grandpa's legacy in the same position and colors!"
Amanda Smith // Westlake Village, Calif. // Oak Park High School // Moorpark College // OC Batbusters Lara // RHP // 5-7
Notes: Transfer from Moorpark College... Went 15-13 with a 2.97 ERA in 184 innings, including 141 strikeouts in 2025... As a freshman, posted a 1.80 ERA with 163 punchouts while owning a 17-7 record and 206 innings pitched... Two-time First Team All-Western State Conference... 2024 Pitcher of the Year... Named to the All-State team in 2024... In high school, earned first team all-league honors twice and second team all-league accolades once... In 2023, tossed 116.2 innings while striking out 70 and posting a 3.00 ERA with 11 wins... As a junior, logged a 369 ERA with 12 wins and 93 punchouts... Fanned 70 batters in 93.2 innings pitched and a 3.29 ERA in 2021... Daughter of Craig and Alejandra Smith... Has one brother, Harrison... Dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster.
Coach Verdun on Smith: "Amanda comes to us with just short of 400 innings pitched in college. In her two seasons at Moorhead Junior College, she led her team to 32 wins and had over 300 strikeouts. Her experience and excitement to learn and grow will contribute to our culture and allow her to have continued success at Illinois. We are excited to have her join the Illini pitching staff this season."
Why Illinois? "I chose the University of Illinois because of the academics, rich history, the culture, and the outstanding academics. Mostly, I want to be a Fighting Illini."
