Liberty Softball Earns 3 CUSA Postseason Honors

LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Liberty softball team claimed three end-of-year awards today, as the 2026 CUSA Softball All-Conference Team was announced.

Liberty sophomore designated player Alexia Carrasquillo was named to the CUSA Softball All-Conference first team, while outfielder Dani Lee and infielder Maci Strickland were both voted to the All-Freshman Team.

Carrasquillo, Lee and Strickland all receive their first career end-of-year awards. Strickland was named CUSA Freshman of the Week twice this season.

A native of Clermont, Fla., Carrasquillo bats .339 with a team-leading 11 doubles, 11 homers and 44 RBI overall. In conference play, she hit .364 with eight doubles, seven homers and 26 RBI. She ranks in the top 10 in CUSA in most offensive categories. A clutch hitter, Carrasquillo hit go-ahead three-run homers in the sixth inning to make it 7-6 at both James Madison (March 10) and Middle Tennessee (March 15). The sophomore had posted 13 multiple-hit games, including four three-hit contests. She batted 3-for-4 with a homer and a season-high four RBI, April 26 against Louisiana Tech.

Hailing from McLouth, Kan., Lee has had a sensational freshman campaign. She bats .373 for the season, with seven doubles, four homers and 19 RBI overall. In conference play, Lee hit .353 with five doubles, three homers and 16 RBI. Her 10 game hitting streak earlier this was the longest by a Lady Flame so far this season and tied for the fourth longest hitting streak by a Liberty freshman in program history. The freshman homered in back-to-back games at Kennesaw State and hit .538 with two doubles, two homers and six RBI in the last four games.

Strickland, a Dallas, Ga., native, has taken over the third base position as a freshman. While providing a strong glove at the hot corner, Strickland also bats .291 overall, with eight doubles, three triples, three homers and 21 RBI. In conference play, Strickland hit .345 with six doubles, three triples, two homers and 15 RBI. The redshirt freshman led all CUSA players with three triples in conference play. Strickland has posted eight multiple-hit games, including three three-hit contests. She also got a hit in her first career at bat, Feb. 6 against Clemson.

The Lady Flames (26-27, 18-9 CUSA) are currently preparing for the 2026 CUSA Softball Championship, hosted in Newark, Del. The two-time defending champion Lady Flames will serve as the No. 3 seed. Liberty has a first-round bye and will face the winner of No. 6 seed FIU and No. 7 seed Louisiana Tech, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The title game will be held on Saturday at noon, with the winner claiming the CUSA's automatic berth to the 2025 NCAA Division I Softball Championship.

2026 CUSA Softball Award Winners
First Team All-Conference
Sydney Shaffer, C, Delaware
Bella Perez, C, Sam Houston
Alexia Carrasquillo, DP/UT, Liberty
Kennedy Byrd, DP/UT, FIU
Maddie Diamond, INF, Delaware
Janelle Martinez, INF, FIU
Bradi Gallaway, INF, Louisiana Tech
Veronica Harrison, INF, Sam Houston
Annie White, INF, Western Kentucky
Allie Nankivell, OF, Delaware
Kally Meredith, OF, FIU
Emma Elrod, OF, Jax State
Sophia Lundstrom, OF, Sam Houston
Makenna Moore, P, Jax State
Faith Aragon, P, New Mexico State
Erica Houge, P, Western Kentucky

Second Team All-Conference
Makalyn Kyser, C, Jax State
Macie Howes, C, Kennesaw State
Katie Scheivert, INF, Delaware
Leah Clark, INF, FIU
Kailey Martin, INF, Jax State
Jana Want, INF, Middle Tennessee
Morgan Sharpe, INF, Western Kentucky
Morgan Nowakowski, OF, Jax State
Allie Furr, OF, Louisiana Tech
Macie Harter, OF, Middle Tennessee
Jenna Blanton, OF, Western Kentucky
Josie Crossman, P, Delaware
Jaliyah Holmes, P, Jax State
Tiffany Sanchez, P, Sam Houston

All-Freshman Team
Karli Challburg, Delaware
Maddie Diamond, Delaware
Allie Nankivell, Delaware
Makenna Moore, Jax State
Dani Lee, Liberty
Maci Strickland, Liberty
Bradi Gallaway, Louisiana Tech
Emily Koranda, Missouri State
Sophia Lundstrom, Sam Houston
Peyton Helmly, Sam Houston
Lauren Satterly, Western Kentucky

Player of the Year – Emma Elrod, Jax State
Pitcher of the Year – Makenna Moore, Jax State
Freshman of the Year – Makenna Moore, Jax State
Newcomer of the Year – Veronica Harrison, Sam Houston
Defensive Player of the Year – Elena Heng, Louisiana Tech
Coach of the Year – Julie Boland, Jax State

Schedule

Liberty Softball Earns 3 CUSA Postseason Honors

Players Mentioned

Alexia Carrasquillo

Dani Lee

Maci Strickland