RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
It’s been a very good year for junior Mariah Bazile, a lefty power hitter from Alabama who pulled the trigger on her college choice on Halloween Day by committing to the Liberty Lady Flames—the same weekend she took her official campus visit.
Was her big announcement planned to be on Halloween so the talented 2023 grad could dress up in costume to make a big, colorful and dramatic announcement to Head Coach Dot Richardson and staff?
That would be a big “no” on both fronts.
“Committing on Halloween was a complete coincidence and wasn’t planned at all,” Mariah explains. “I had just happened to decide for sure Liberty was where I wanted to continue my softball career and further my academics. And I wasn’t in costume when I committed, either; I was actually just in shorts and a sweatshirt because we were driving home that day!”
Still, it means Halloween will be a day she’ll always remember… and it won’t just be for the candy and trick-or-treaters. The drive from her future college campus to her home was about 8 ½ hours but you know the trip was well worth it as the culmination of a great 2021 softball run for the young athlete.
In the Spring, Mariah helped lead her Hazel Green (Alabama) High team to a Class 6A State title and was selected to the All-Tournament team. Only a sophomore at the time, she compiled a .325 batting average with eight home runs, 41 RBIs and a 1.104 OPS.
Then, she continued her impressive play into the summer as she hit .565 for Tammy Vermeulen’s fast-rising D1VISION 16U Premier team.
“I found Mariah a year ago, over last Summer,” remembers Coach Vermeulen. “I was working a camp for a college I was coaching for at the time, recruiting players. I quickly recognized Mariah out of over 150 players—her athleticism and her bat spoke for themselves!”
“She joined D1VISION last Fall (2020) and I quickly knew she was a top 25 D1 collegiate prospect. Mariah hits to all sides of the fields batting over .500 both seasons and would hit laser shot home runs to the opposite field like it was nothing (that’s never easy to do).”
“With so much talent, what stood out most to me was how humble Mariah was on and off of the field. She has always been so extremely respectful to her coaches and encouraging to her teammates. Mariah was quiet but her ability, shined like no other. It was a pleasure to help Mariah through the recruiting process and to find her a home to where I know she will be pushed to compete always. Coach Dot is an amazing coach and better person, she is in the best hands there with Liberty University and their amazing staff.”
Mariah has played softball since age eight and is versatile enough to line up in the outfielder for her club team and at first base for Hazel Green High.
“I love playing softball,” she says, “and love being a part of an awesome organization with D1VISION. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow under such great leadership and getting ready to play at the next level at Liberty University.”
The dream to play at the collegiate level and for a legendary softball figure in Coach Richardson came to fruition on Halloween Day when Mariah told the Liberty staff she was committing:
I would like to announce that I have committed to Liberty University. I’m so thankful to have this opportunity and having my coaches, family, and friends supporting me in this journey and decision. I’m so excited to be apart of the Flames family.Thank you Coach Dot. Go Flames❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/vPOUPLOLSr
— Mariah Bazile (@mariahbazile) October 31, 2021
Here’s more on her journey to being a college commit!
*****
Name: MARIAH BAZILE
Position(s): OF/1B
High School (City/ST): Hazel Green (Alabama)
Club Team: D1VISION 16U Premier
Committed To: Liberty University
Date Committed: October 31st, 2021
How did Liberty first learn about you to start the recruiting process?
Coach (Paige) Cassady, the Assistant Coach at Liberty, had seen me playing in the Scenic City tournament in Chattanooga while out recruiting another player. She said she saw me knock the scoreboard out and was interested. Coach Dot also got a chance to see me play and said watching me swing just one time she knew she wanted me to be a part of her program!
When did they actually offer you a scholarship?
I was invited out to Liberty on an official visit where I got to meet Coach Dot and her amazing staff. I also had a chance to meet some of the awesome players. I loved being there learning more about the school both academically and the athletic program. After having the chance to hang out and talk with everyone, Coach Dot offered me a scholarship.
When and how did you commit?
I decided to commit shortly after the offer. After being on campus a few days, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I loved everything about Liberty and felt that God had placed me there for a reason.
As a university, it just checked off all the boxes on my list and it just felt right! When you know, you know! I called Coach Dot, as my family and I traveled back home to Alabama and let her know that I would love to accept the offer and thanked her for this amazing opportunity.
*** Scroll down to learn how the #22 played a big part in Mariah’s commit to Liberty!