Liberty softball is scheduled to open the 2026 season this weekend in Clearwater, Florida at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic. The Lady Flames will play five games from Friday-Sunday beginning with a doubleheader Friday afternoon against No. 4 Tennessee and No. 9 Clemson. As Liberty prepares to open the season, here is our projected opening day lineup with quotables from head coach Dot Richardson for most of the players.
Projected Opening Day Lineup
Catcher
Savannah Jessee – Coach Dot: “Could be a breakout year for her”
2025 stats: 52 games played, 52 games started, .290 BA, 13 runs, 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 27 RBI
1st Base
Brynn McManus – Coach Dot: “Going to produce more power than she did last year”
2025 stats: 65 games played, 64 games started, .320 BA, 32 runs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 45 RBI
2nd Base
Ella Fox – Coach Dot: “Earned the starting spot”
2025 stats: (at North Carolina) 13 games played, 6 games started, .067 BA, 5 runs
Shortstop
Savanah Whatley – Coach Dot: “That kid loves to win”
2025 stats: 47 games played, 43 games started, .349 BA, 34 runs, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 20 RBI
3rd Base
Avery Noel – Coach Dot: “A freshman. She puts a lot of pressure on herself.”
2025 stats: N/A
Left Field
Paige Doerr – Coach Dot: “She’s ready to go”
2025 stats: 65 games played, 65 games started, .346 BA, 29 runs, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 31 RBI
Center Field
JaMaya Byrum – Coach Dot: “She is so athletic, great character, total Liberty softball player”
2025 stats: 32 games played, 22 games started, .179 BA, 11 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 6 RBI
Right Field
Brooke Roberts
2025 stats: 59 games played, 59 games started, .283 BA, 34 runs, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, 34 RBI
Designated Player
Alexia Carrasquillo – Coach Dot: “Produced as a freshman last year, thrives on competition”
2025 stats: 24 games played, 13 games started, .348 BA, 9 runs, 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 17 RBI
Pitcher
Kaylan Yoder – Coach Dot: “Wait until you see her”
2025 stats: 23 appearances, 17 starts, 2.63 ERA, 3 complete games, 1 save, 9 wins, 6 losses, 85.1 innings pitched
Coach Dot: “We are filled with a lot of positions that have the experience”
