Lady Flames Softball Prepares for the Spring

Things are heating up on Liberty’s softball field as the team prepares for the spring season.

So far, the Lady Flames have hosted two Division III schools in Averett and Roanoke College, but the highlight of the fall season has been the game against Longwood where the team showed promising performances. 

The Flames have seen home runs from outfielder Kara Canetto and infielder Raye Green. All three pitchers for the Lady Flames have seen action this fall season, each playing 10 innings. 

Emily Kirby is playing her fifth-year senior season with the Flames, and Kirby appeared in 34 games last season, which surpassed her 25 total appearances during her first three seasons as a Flame. Her most successful season so far included 24 starts , and she earned ASUN Pitcher of the Year last season. Liberty Head Coach Dot Richardson said she is pleased to have depth in the pitching game. 

“[Kirby] did really well to have a stellar performance last year,” Richardson said. “She beat Arkansas and other teams and played really well.” 

Kirby said even though expectations loom after a successful season last year, she is focused on a new start. 

“I want [to] say ‘fresh’ or ‘new’ because this is a new team,” Kirby said. “It is a new dynamic with so many incoming players and transfers.”

The team lost Autumn and Amber Bishop this season, who spent five seasons with the Flames and became the core of the team. 

Coach Richardson said that although the loss of former stars will be tough, their absence paves the way for new talent to succeed.

“It is really hard to replace the talent of the twins,” Richardson said. “I don’t think you really can, but we are going to use the talent that the Lord has given to us.” 

Richardson’s goal is to prepare the young team as quickly as possible.

“This is a whole other ball game because as a DI athlete, it is a job,” Richardson said. “They are going to have butterflies and anxiety, and we train them to use that to heighten their performance. I think you are really going to enjoy this year’s team.”

Zehnder is a sports reporter. Follow him on Twitter at @zaczehnder.