CUSA Softball Tournament Update | A Sea of Red

Liberty softball is in Bowling Green, Kentucky where the Lady Flames are seeking its second straight CUSA tournament championship and seventh conference title of all-time. Liberty enters the tournament field as the No. 1 overall seed and is one of six teams that advanced to the CUSA Championship and those teams now play a double elimination tournament this week culminating with a winner take all championship game Saturday.

All games will be streamed on ESPN+ with the exception of the championship game which will air on CBS Sports Network. We will be providing updates throughout the week on all the action in Bowling Green so check back here for the updates every day this week.

Wednesday, Day One, May 7, 2025 (ESPN+)

Game 1: (#3) Jax State 11, (#6) Sam Houston 0 (5 innings)

The Gamecocks jumped all over Sam Houston’s first-team All-CUSA pitcher Abigail Young, scoring four runs off her in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by Makalyn Kyser’s three-run home run. Young, who entered the postseason with a 1.66 ERA, didn’t escape the first inning and the four runs surrendered were the most she allowed in a single outing this season. Jax State continued to pour it on early and often, scoring in each of the first four innings and hitting four home runs during that time as the lead exploded to 11-0. Meanwhile, Jaliyah Holmes pitched a complete game shutout, allowing five hits while walking one and striking out two in the win.

Game 2: (#4) Louisiana Tech 5, (#5) New Mexico State 4

Freshman catcher Addison Snyder blasted her first career home run, a two-run, walk-off shot to dead center to cap Louisiana Tech’s win over New Mexico State. The Bulldogs overcame a 4-1 deficit with four runs, all with two outs, the final frame. Reagan Marchant began the comeback with a two-run shot to right center for her 18th homer of the season. New Mexico State’s Riley Carley gave her team a 4-1 advantage with a three-run, two-out home run in the top half of the seventh.

Game 3: (#6) Sam Houston 5, (#5) New Mexico State 3 (New Mexico State eliminated)

Jenny Robinson was 3 for 3 with three RBI for the Bearkats to help push them past New Mexico State in the first elimination game of the week. Bella Perez hit a solo home run, her 13th of the season, in the third inning, to push the lead to 2-0. In the fifth, Robinson and Brodie Quinian left the yard to push the lead to 5-0. The Aggies were held off the board for six innings before attempting to mount a comeback in the seventh. Desirae Spearman launched her 20th home run of the season, a three-run shot to cut the deficit to two. Later in the frame, NMSU would put the tying run on base and bring the winning run to the plate before freshman Tamara Carranza grounded to finish the game.

Thursday, May 8 (ESPN+)

Game 4: (#3) Jax State 2, (#2) Western Kentucky 1

Makalyn Kyser picked up where she left off Wednesday with a two-run, two-out home run in the top of the third to give the Gamecocks the early 2-0 lead. The host Hilltoppers got on the scoreboard with a run in the e bottom of the third, scoring on a wild pitch. WKU also put two runners on base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but JSU’s Kat Carter got a strikeout to end the threat. Carter then worked around a two-out single in the 7th to seal the win.

Game 5: (#1) Liberty 8, (#4) Louisiana Tech 0 (6 innings)

The reigning champs and top seed Lady Flames jumped on top of Louisiana Tech in the first inning and did not look back. Liberty plated five runs in the first inning, started by a leadoff home run by Savannah Woodard. KK Madrey plated two on a triple and then scores herself on a sacrifice pop-out in foul territory. Rachel Craine would then scores on Savannah Jessee’s double as Liberty batted around and chased Louisiana Tech’s starting pitcher.

Mattison Buster was strong in relief for the Bulldogs. She pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to allow Louisiana Tech to stay within striking distance. Liberty would then begin to find the way against Buster. JaMaya Byrum would blast a pitch beyond the left field wall in the fourth to push the lead to 6-0, and Brooke Roberts hit the Flames’ third solo home run in the fifth to make it 7-0.

CUSA Pitcher of the Year Elena Escobar dazzled in the circle for Liberty. She tossed a complete game shutout while allowing three hits while striking out five and not issuing a walk while earning her 20th win of the season. Liberty would get the run-rule victory after Rachel Roupe walked with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 6th.

Game 6: (#6) Sam Houston vs (#2) Western Kentucky, 4 p.m.

Friday, May 9 (ESPN+)

Game 7: (#3) Jax State vs (#1) Liberty, 1 p.m.

Game 8: (#4) Louisiana Tech vs Winner Game 6, 3:30 p.m.

Game 9: Loser Game 7 vs Winner Game 8, 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 10

Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs Winner Game 9, 1 p.m. CBS Sports Network

*photo courtesy Conference USA