FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast softball head coach Lindsay Fico announced the addition of six signees on Thursday.

"The 2026 class brings toughness, versatility and the kind of grit we need to compete at the highest level," Fico said. "Every one of them brings something unique to our program — but also embodies a team-first mindset. They're going to be a special part of where we're headed. We're thrilled to welcome them to the Eagle family!"

Alexis Evans | 5'6 | OF | R/R | Archer HS | Athletics Gold Tamborra | Loganville, Ga.
Evans comes to FGCU from Archer HS in Loganville, Ga. An outfielder, Evans owns a career .450 average and .476 OBP in high school for head coach Emily Wilson. In her most recent season, she hit .567 with a .647 OBP, nine home runs, and steals bases at a 95.85% clip. She earned three consecutive all-region nods from 2023-2025, and was named First Team All-State in 2024-25. Evans played club for coach Stacy Tamborra at Athletics Gold Tamborra.

The daughter of Tamara Young and Eddie Evans, Alexis has two siblings, Tyson and Rocket. Her father, Eddie, played football at Norfolk State. Born on May 10, Evans plans to major in exercise science at FGCU.

Jessie Crye | 5'7 | RHP | Avon Central School | Impact Caymol | Avon, N.Y.
Crye joins FGCU from Avon Central School in Avon, N.Y. The 2025 Avon HS Female Athlete of the year, she boasts a career ERA of 0.78 with 923 strikeouts over 431 innings pitched. As a junior, she posted a 0.65 ERA and 263 Ks across 128.1 innings. She was named the 2024 NYS Section V Class C1 Player of the Year, and 2025 NYS Section V Class B2 Player of the Year.
A LCAA All-Star for softball, volleyball and swimming, she made All-State teams for softball and volleyball, and the All-Greater Rochester All-Star Team for softball and volleyball.

Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society. She won the Triple C Award (Courage, Commitment, Character) and was recognized for Academic Achievement Award for French,  and for the Academic Growth Award in Algebra 2, Psychology and English 3.

The daughter of Ann Marie and Thomas Crye, Jessie has two siblings, Joleigh and TJ. Her mom, Ann Marie, swam at the University of Buffalo and was inducted in the UB Hall of Fame in 2001. Her dad, Thomas, played basketball and bowled at Genesee Community College. Her sister, Joleigh, swims the 100 breaststroke at Cincinnati, where she is an All-American and 2024 Olympic Trials qualifier, and the 2025 Cincinnati Female Athlete of the Year. Her brother, TJ, played football at Alfred University. Born on Jan. 14, she plans to major in psychology at FGCU.

Riley Huckaby | 5'3 | LHP | Harris County HS | Athletics Gold Freeman/Tamborra | Catula, Ga.
Huckaby comes to FGCU from Harris County HS in Catula, Ga. She won a 2024 state championship with head coach Brandon Jenkins, and plays club for Mekhia Freeman at Athletics Gold Freeman/Tamborra. She has collected numerous individual accolades, including four First Team All Region nods, two pitcher of the year awards, the GHSA Player of the Year, the GA Dugout Club Player of the Year, and the GA Dugout Club junior and senior all star. She boasts an 0.834 ERA, a .148 BAA and has a 123-10 strikeout to walk ratio. Huckaby was named to the Principal's List and has earned the Georgia Certificate of Merit.

The daughter of Randa and Keith Huckaby, Riley was born on Dec. 21 and plans to major in nursing at FGCU.

Riley Johnson | 5'6 | INF | R/R | Bishop Moore Catholic | Tampa Mustangs Fowler | Deltona, Fla.
Johnson joins FGCU from Bishop Moore Catholic School in Deltona, Fla. In her 2025 fall travel season, she hit .324 with a .361 OBP and nine RBI. She broke her high school single season home run record for head coach Mike Gale with eight, and was named All-Area as a junior and second team as a sophomore. She played club for coach Kyle Fowler at Tampa Mustangs Fowler.

Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the ASL Honor Society and the Athletic Honor Society. She has made the honor roll every semester of high school.

The daughter of Michele and Matthew Johnson, Riley has one sibling, Jacob. Born on Oct. 5, she plans to major in nursing at FGCU.

Taya Newton | 5'6 | INF | R/R | Andalusia HS | SoCal Athletics | Andalusia, Ala. 
Newton comes to FGCU from Andalusia HS in Andalusia, Ala. She played club for Joel Kennedy at SoCal Athletics, and was named to the AHSAA all-state team. A member of the National Honor Society, Newton was a captain at Andalusia for head coach Ray Bozeman.

The daughter of Tony and Celina Newton, Taya has two siblings, Zade and Mila Bay. Born on Feb. 5, she plans to major in construction management at FGCU.

Payton Roberson | 5'4 | INF/UTL | L/R | East Coweta HS | EC Bullets Premier Holcombe | Senoia, Ga.
Roberson joins FGCU from East Coweta HS and Senoia, Ga. She has a .515 career batting average, 20 home runs, 195 hits for head coach Franklin Deloach. In her most recent season, she slashed .505/.546/.893 for an 1.439 OPS with 16 doubles, three triples, six homers and 43 RBI. A First Team All-State and First Team All-Region honoree, she broke the school single season batting average record with .602, the school single season OBP record with .618, and the school single season doubles record with 21. She plays club for coach Kerry Holcombe at EC Bullets Premier.

Academically, she is a member of the National Honor Society and National Beta Club. Roberson has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked in the top 10% of her class.

The daughter of Marie and Lee Roberson, Payton has one sibling, Jaxson. Her dad, Lee, played baseball at Florida. Born on Oct. 29, she plans to major in biology at FGCU.

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