## Liberty University Flames: Aiming for Glory in the Super Regionals
After making history by knocking off the national No. 1 seed in the Regionals, the **Liberty University Flames** are about to embark on an exhilarating journey in the Super Regionals. Competing with grit and determination, this first-time participant (50-13) is poised to claim its spot in the Women’s College World Series against the formidable **No. 16 Oregon Ducks** (51-8) this Friday through Sunday. The stakes are high, as only the series winner will advance to the grand stage of collegiate softball.
### NCAA Super Regional Insights
#### Quick Hits
– The **Lady Flames** showcased their resilience by winning the Bryan-College Station Regional, triumphing in two out of three nail-biting matches against **No. 1 Texas A&M**. Liberty demonstrated its mettle in the sixth inning, scoring five runs in both victories (8-5 on Saturday and 6-5 on Sunday night). Meanwhile, Oregon pulled off a remarkable doubleheader against Stanford, sealing their path to the Super Regionals with a clutch walk-off win.
– **Rachel Roupe**, a standout player and **Softball America Second Team All-American**, shone brightly on Regional Championship Sunday. She went an impressive **5-for-9**, blasting three homers and driving in nine RBIs. Notably, her grand slam in Game 1 and a pivotal three-run shot in the winner-take-all finale helped Liberty clinch the series. On the mound, **Elena Escobar**, the **CUSA Pitcher of the Year**, showcased her prowess by earning three wins throughout the Regionals, while **Kaylan Yoder** secured a crucial save in the final game.
– In the realm of stolen bases, the competition is fierce. Liberty (117) and Oregon (166) sit third and twelfth nationally, respectively. Oregon’s **Kai Luschar** leads NCAA DI softball with an astounding **58 steals**, while **KK Madrey** from Liberty is right behind, with **50 steals** to her credit.
– With a combined total of **158 wins**, Liberty’s Regional cast ranked highest among all Regionals. Intriguingly, this week’s **Eugene Super Regional** boasts the most combined wins (101) of any Super Regional this year.
### Offensive Powerhouse
Seven out of Liberty’s nine regular starters are batting .300 or better, making it a force to be reckoned with at the plate.
– **KK Madrey** leads the charge with an impressive **.412** average and a staggering 50 stolen bases.
– Following closely is **Rachel Roupe** (.392), who tops CUSA with **18 doubles**, **23 homers**, and an eye-popping **73 RBIs**.
– Oregon State transfers, **Paige Doerr** and **Savanah Whatley**, add depth to the lineup, hitting .348 and .355, respectively. In the lead-off slot, **Savannah Woodard** has been a revelation, boasting a .346 average with **10 homers** and **45 RBIs**.
– **Brynn McManus** and **Savannah Jessee** provide additional firepower, hitting .332 and .301, respectively, with Jessee recently hitting a game-tying homer in the climactic match against Texas A&M.
### Pitching Excellence
Leading Liberty is **Elena Escobar** once again. With a stunning **25-3 record** and a **2.43 ERA**, she has thrown a remarkable seven shutouts this season. Escobar is not just an ace; she’s been an iron woman on the mound, tossing **755 pitches** since the regular season concluded.
Alongside her, **Kaylan Yoder** (9-5, 2.51 ERA) leads CUSA in opponent batting average at **.199**, while teammate **Paige Bachman** (11-4, 2.73) has also garnered All-CUSA second-team honors.
### The Road Ahead
As the Lady Flames prepare to face off against the Oregon Ducks, the excitement is palpable. With every pitch and swing, the journey to the **Women’s College World Series** is not just about the game but also about proving that **Liberty University** is a name to be reckoned with in collegiate softball.
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For more about the **Liberty Flames Softball** team and their thrilling journey, check out the latest updates on their official website [Liberty Flames](https://libertyflames.com/sports/softball/).
