Over the summer Liberty Softball added several high profile transfers into the program, including sophomore outfielder Janessa Plummer. A Sea of Red recently caught up with Janessa to find out more about her story and how she ended up at Liberty.
Plummer transfers to Liberty from Florida SouthWestern State where she was one of the top junior college hitters. She ranked fourth nationally in NJCAA Division I with a .543 batting average. Her career batting average of .506 is the second best in program history. She was named a 2021 NJCAA Division I All-American helping her team to the NJCAA National Championship while being named the National Tournament Most Valuable Player. Plummer is originally from Lakeland, Florida.
ASOR: How has the process been thus far transferring from the state of Florida to Liberty?
Janessa Plummer: Thus far it has not been very smooth, mainly because it is a huge adjustment moving from Florida where I have lived my entire life and now living in VA. Coming to a state that is 11 hours a way is something I am not use to yet. It is a big change and just taking time for me to adjust to a new environment. I know it is going to take time.
ASOR: When did you get introduced to softball and when did that passion get going?
photo courtesy Liberty Athletics
JP: I played recreation ball around 8 or 9, but did not really get into competitive softball until I was 13 years old. That is when I started travel ball and playing competitively. I was a late bloomer in getting into softball.
ASOR: What was the process like for you coming out of high school and how did you end up at the school you transferred from?
JP: I had several college offers, even D1 offers. I went and saw them but nothing felt like home or somewhere I would be happy. Coach Robert, the head coach at Florida Southwestern in Fort Myers, began talking to me. I went and visited my senior year of high school and I really loved the place and loved what he could do for me as a player and a person. I thought why not go to a two year and get used to it before transferring to a four year school. We actually won a national championship.
ASOR: You play outfield, but is there a certain spot in the outfield that you enjoy more than others?
JP: I would prefer to play center field, but I will play anywhere a coach wants. Just put me in the grass and I will play whatever position the coach and team need me to play.
ASOR: Have you always played outfield since you began playing softball?
JP: I played a little bit of shortstop, but I discovered the outfield and never went back to the clay again. I love the outfield as the last line of defense and tracking the ball out there. Big plays rely on us out there. I like having fun out there by myself. I talk to myself out there, I dance, it is just a different energy out there. Coach Dot talked to me about center, but I will play wherever coach Dot wants me to play.
ASOR: Is there a player who has influenced your game in the outfield?
JP: I wouldn’t say anyone has influenced, but lately I have been watching and admire Aliyah Andrews play in the outfield. She has caught my eye with the way she reads the ball and the way she flys out there to make plays. I would want to play like her at the D1 level.
ASOR: How did you get connected with Liberty? What was that process?
JP: I actually found out about Liberty through a current player on the team. She told the coaches about me, I sent my film to the coaches and they offered me.
ASOR: What caught your attention about LU when you first visited?
JP: The whole campus! It is beautiful. I love the scenery, I love the mountains behind the campus, I love all the brick buildings, the facilities are up to date and everything is new. It is very well kept and I can tell a lot of people have put money into the university and if people are that invested it must be a good school if so many people are that invested into the school.
ASOR: Have you discovered a favorite thing to do on campus besides working out with the team?
JP: I have not, I actually live off campus, so I am only on campus for school and softball right now. I room with two players off the team – Devyn Howard and Raigan Barrett.
ASOR: I know that you are not suppose to look too far ahead, but is there a game on the schedule that you are looking forward to playing this year?
JP: I am looking forward to playing Arkansas, I believe it is a home game for us, but that is a game I am looking forward to playing.
