Richardson Announces 6 Liberty Softball Signees

Liberty Softball Head Coach Dot Richardson has announced the addition of six student-athletes to the Lady Flames’ softball program for the 2023-24 academic year. Mariah Bazile, JaMaya Byrum, Ciara Gibson, Kerissa Howell, Brooke Wildes and Kaylan Yoder have all signed commitments to attend Liberty and play softball at Liberty beginning in the Fall of 2023.

These six student-athletes join a team that has gone to the postseason each of the last five full seasons, including NCAA Regional finals appearances in both 2018 and 2021 and five total NCAA Regional game victories.

This upcoming class includes two players from Florida and one each from Alabama, Delaware, Georgia and Kentucky.

Mariah Bazile (OF, Hazel Green, Ala./Hazel Green HS)

Mariah Bazile joins the Lady Flames as a standout infielder from Hazel Green, Ala. As a sophomore, she batted .320 with a .465 on base percentage and seven home runs, helping her team with the Alabama 6A State Championship. That season, she was named to the AHSAA All-Tournament Team. Last year, she hit .429 with a .547 on base percentage and 10 homers while also setting program records for RBI and runs scored. Bazile was selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game in 2022, while also being voted a 6A All-State second team selection by the Alabama Softball Writers Association.

Coach Richardson: “We are extremely excited about the addition of Mariah to our team.  She brings with her excellence in the classroom and on the field.  Mariah is a strong bat and arm.  She will bring power to the plate. We look forward to seeing her contribution at the plate. She is an outfielder with a strong arm. We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”

JaMaya Byrum (3B, Henderson, Ky./Henderson County High School)

JaMaya Byrum brings a strong background as an infielder from Henderson, Ky. She is a five-time varsity letterwinner and has helped her team with two district titles and two regional championships. As a junior, she batted .376 with seven homers, 40 RBI, 41 runs and 19 stolen bases, earning her fifth All-District Academic Team honor and fifth KHSAA Academic All-State first team award. Twice during her career, she has been named Defensive Player of the Year and Best Teammate. During her sophomore year, she hit .359 with three home runs, 28 RBI, 40 runs scored and 16 steals.

Coach Richardson: “JaMaya is an amazing individual.  She is an outstanding student-athlete.  She excels both on and off the field.  She is a leader. JaMaya will have an instant impact on the team.  She has an amazing arm, quickness and consistent bat.  Her mental toughness elevates her game to another level. JaMaya has the ability and presence to support her teammates to excellence. We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”

Ciara Gibson (SS/UTL, Orange Park, Fla./Oakleaf High School)

Ciara Gibson comes to Liberty from Orange Park, Fla., where she stars for Oakleaf High School. She has improved her ranking on ExtraInningSoftball.com’s Elite 100 every year, from 108 as a freshman to 94 as a sophomore and 85 as a junior. A two-time All-County first team selection, she has also been named to the News4Jax All-Area Softball Team twice and the Florida Times Union All-Softball Team twice. She has helped her team to two 7A District titles, and a 7A Elite 8 finish last season. The Florida native is a two-time FL Miracle Sports All-State honorable mention awardee. Gibson was named to Florida High School Varsity Magazine’s Top 3 outfielders for 2023. She plays for Pro Impact Softball and has competed against the Puerto Rico National Team and Florida Vibe. Gibson also competes in weightlifting.

Coach Richardson: “Ciara is an extremely gifted athlete!  She is exceptional with both her physical and mental prowess.  She can play almost anywhere and we look forward to what she will contribute both on offense and defense.  She has a gun for an arm and is very quick.  Ciara is another incoming freshman that everyone is going to enjoy watching!  We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”

Kerissa Howell (INF/UTL, Lakeland, Fla./McKeel Academy of Technology)

Kerissa Howell hails from Lakeland, Fla., where she excels at several different positions for McKeel Academy of Technology. As a sophomore, she hit .385 while hitting six home runs and 50 RBI, leading her team in homers. Howell received her team’s Spirit Award as a junior and Best Bunter during her freshman season. She plays club softball for Tampa Mustangs. Howell is a four-year player for McKeel’s basketball team, where she has won awards every season.

Coach Richardson: “We are extremely excited to have Kerissa in this amazing 2023-2024 recruiting class.  She is another incredible young woman. She pursues excellence in everything she does. She has the talent of both power and speed.  Kerissa is a team player who will provide support and encouragement to others.  Kerissa has a strong arm and is a player that can contribute anywhere she is needed.  We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”

Brooke Wildes (INF, Canton, Ga./Creekview High School)

Brooke Wildes is a nationally-ranked infielder, playing her high school softball for Creekview High School. She was listed No. 23 on the 2023 ExtraInningSoftball.com Elite 100. Wildes is a USA Elite Select Futures All-American and USA Elite Select 30 All-American. She has been a three-time honoree on the PGF All-American Watch List, while also being voted a Faster 2 First All-Star and Colorado IDT All-Star. Wildes has earned All-County, All-Region and All-State honors during her career. She has helped her team to three Top 5 finishes in the state tournament, highlighted by a third-place showing in 2020. Wildes plays travel softball for Georgia Impact.

Coach Richardson: “Brooke is a special young lady with natural athletic ability. She has amazing fielding hands and a very good arm.  She will have an immediate impact in the infield.  Brooke is a leader and will be a force on both sides of the ball.  Brooke’s presence will add a competitive and confident demeanor to the team. We are excited to have her with us!  We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”

Kaylan Yoder (LHP, Greenwood, Del./Delmarva Christian High School)

Kaylan Yoder hails from Greenwood, Del., playing her high school softball as a lefthanded pitcher for Delmarva Christian High School. Yoder has also played travel softball for TNT Delaware Bomhardt and Green Hornets Gold 18U. She is also a standout in varsity basketball and volleyball.

Coach Richardson: “Kaylan is another very special young lady. She is a competitor both on and off the field.  She is an extremely hard worker and brings that with her in the circle, outfield and to the plate.  She will be an impact player on both sides of the ball.  She is a special lefty pitcher who moves and spins the ball really well. She gets a lot of swings and misses. Kaylan will also be a leader through example!  We welcome her and her entire family to Flames Nation!  Go Flames!”