Elena Escobar

Liberty Athletics Spring Sports Media Day on November 28th, 2023. (Photo by Cassidy Paxton)

Class:
Junior
Bats/Throws:
R/R
Height:
5-7
Hometown:
Spring Hill, Tenn.
Position:
P
Prev School:
Summit HS (North Alabama)

2024 (Jr.)

Appeared in 31 games, starting 15 times
Went 16-7 with a 2.75 ERA, eight complete games, one shutout, one save, 43 walks, 130 strikeouts and a .233 opponents’ batting average in 145 1/3 innings
NFCA All-Mideast Region second team
CUSA All-Conference second team
CUSA All-Tournament Team
CUSA Pitcher of the Week (April 15)
Finished the season tied for the CUSA lead in wins, ranking third in both strikeouts and ERA, fourth in innings pitched and fifth in opponents’ batting average
In conference-only play, went 6-1 with a 1.97 ERA and .200 opponents’ batting average
Went the distance in Liberty’s season-opening win over St. John’s (Feb. 9), striking out eight, the most strikeouts by a Liberty pitcher in a season opener since 2018
Tossed first shutout as a Lady Flame, a two-hitter against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Feb. 23 during which she struck out a career-high 10 batters
Tied career high with 10 strikeouts at Middle Tennessee (April 13), allowing one run on just two hits
Carried no-hitter into the fifth inning twice against LSU (May 3, 5)
Held No. 10 LSU to one run on five hits in regular-season finale (May 5), securing the signature win with a comebacker to end the game
Went a combined 5-3 in the postseason (CUSA Tournament and NCAA Regionals), appearing in eight out of Liberty’s nine games
Earned the win in elimination games against UTEP (May 9) and New Mexico State (May 10) at the CUSA Softball Championship
Served as the winning pitcher in the CUSA Softball Championship title game, allowing two runs on two hits in 6 2/3 innings of relief in a 4-3 win over Western Kentucky (May 11)
Drew the start for Liberty’s NCAA-opening win over No. 25 Charlotte (May 17), giving up three runs on five hits while striking out four
Helped Liberty to 2-0 start to Regionals, earning the win over host, Georgia (May 18), tossing four innings of two-hit relief
Started both games on NCAA Athens Regional final day, getting Liberty to within one out of its first-ever Super Regional berth before drawing the narrow 3-2 loss in the “winner-take-all” final to Georgia

Previous School

Transferred to Liberty after pitching for North Alabama for two seasons, posting a 14-10 record and 2.94 career ERA in 47 appearances (27 starts, 11 complete games)
Named to 2023 ASUN All-Tournament Team after helping the Lions advance to the championship game
Held Liberty to one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched, striking out seven in 2023 ASUN quarterfinal round
Went 11-5 with a .202 opponents batting average and three shutouts while ranking third in the ASUN with a 1.90 ERA as a sophomore

Prep

Graduated from Summit High School
As a senior, posted a 0.64 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 88 innings pitched
2021 District MVP and Pitcher of the Year

Personal

Daughter of Erick and Rebecca Escobar
Nursing major, would like to become a surgical nurse and then a first assistant
Birthday is Feb. 27

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
After attending North Alabama for two years, I was looking for something culturally different and Liberty provided that. Last year was my first year being a part of the team and it was a dream come true.

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I pray before every game. It’s a good mental reset before I go out and pitch and it gives me an opportunity to talk to the Lord and get all of my nerves out.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My little sister. She’s my best friend and an amazing person. I found it inspiring how she chose her own path and decided not to do sports and decided to stick with academics instead.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Last year when we beat LSU. I had strep, flu, and pneumonia that week and had to miss our midweek game against Virginia Tech which was extremely disappointing. Our whole trip to LSU I was wearing a mask and I had taken about 6 different medications. I went out there on Sunday, pitched the whole game and we beat them, it was just a surreal moment.
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
I picked 5 because it’s just always been my number. I had it when I was little and thankfully, I get to have it now.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
I love dinner. Sushi is my favorite food of all time so dinner would have to be my favorite meal.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
Probably Snapchat.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I love shopping. The amount of time I spend doing it, definitely makes it a hobby.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have a hound lab mix named Hensley.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Hannah rogers. She was a pitcher for Florida when I was younger, and I loved watching her pitch.

What is your favorite possession and why?
My favorite possession would have to be my record player. I love listening to music and record players just create a special sound, I love listening to mine.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Before he cheats by Carrie Underwood

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Iceland. I’ve always had an obsession with going to Iceland (not sure where it came from). I’ve begged my mom to go for years, and she’s never been into the idea.