Skip to main content

Rachel Roupe leads Liberty past Texas A&M, into first Super Regional

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby:Brady Vernon•05/18/25•

BradyVernon

Screenshot 2025-05-18 at 8.15.41 PM
Photo courtesy of Liberty Athletics

After a whirlwind of a first game, being 60 feet from their first Super Regional, Rachel Roupe made sure the Flames would still be lit. Roupe’s three-run go-ahead blast lifted Liberty past top-seeded Texas A&M 6-5.

The Aggies supplied their starting pitcher, Sydney Lessentine, with a three-run lead as the freshman cruised for the early part of the game. Liberty hadn’t challenged her for most of the game, as she threw four scoreless innings and needed one more out to make it five. Roupe had other ideas, hitting a solo shot to get Liberty on the board.

Despite an excellent outing from Lessentine, the home run prompted a pitching change to All-American Emiley Kennedy. However, the Flames had her number once again. Savannah Jessee picked up her first hit of the regional, blasting a game-tying two-run homer. After a walk, Grace Sparks replaced Kennedy. She allowed a single before yielding the three-run blast to Roupe.

Texas A&M battled back. Allie Enright hit a solo home run to pull within two runs in the bottom of the sixth. After two singles and her 400th pitch of the regional, Elena Escobar was lifted for Kaylan Yoder, who had not thrown in the regional. Aggies got another in an RBI infield single from Koko Wooley. However, Yoder got the dangerous Mya Perez fly out to end the sixth-inning threat.

The Aggie put two runners on but Yoder struck out Kramer Eschete to end the game.

Texas A&M becomes the first No. 1 seed to lose in its own regional in the Super Regional era (circa 2005). Meanwhile, Liberty awaits the winner of Oregon and Stanford to see if the Flames will possibly host their Super Regional.

More from Softball America:

Regional Scores and Updates
Coaching Carousel Discussion Board
Transfer Portal Wire

You may also like