Troy University Athletics

Troy Softball Positional Preview: Freshmen
2/3/2025 3:26:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – With talents like Libby Baker, D'Aun Riggs, Jade Sinness and more graduating last season, head coach Eric Newell reloaded the roster with nine freshmen players.
"If you look at Troy softball, there's been a lot of good players that have come through the program, like Libby, who didn't do much as a freshman," Newell said. "We're banking on some freshmen to contribute and make impacts this year."
Emily Ferro, Caiden Oliva, Reaghan Oney, Hallie Ueberroth, Laney Williams, Dailynn Motes, Ally Fleck, Reese Green and Mya Holt represent the future – and the present – of Troy softball.
"We try to get the best players we can, regardless of their position," Newell said. "The Sun Belt plays at a very high level, so we need players who can compete now."
Alabama Softball Gatorade Player of the Year Holt caps off the Trojans' recruiting class, and she looks to make an instant impact. Holt starred at Wetumpka High School both as a pitcher and hitter.
She ended her career with a 1.48 ERA and 757 strikeouts from the circle, and 70 homers and a 1.385 OPS from the batter's box. The Yellow Jackets stood no chance against Holt in fall ball, as she held Georgia Tech to one hit in five innings of scoreless ball.
Oney brings a considerable power bat to the Trojans – she mashed 24 homers in her senior season and ended her high school career with 69 round-trippers. She was named Miss Kentucky Softball in 2024, among many other awards.
Following a successful stint at West Nassau High School in Florida, Green committed to Troy and has shown her talent in fall ball. She notched a multi-hit game in a 7-5 loss to ACC foe Georgia Tech.
Motes – who committed to Troy with her high school teammate Williams – was a force to be reckoned with in high school. In 2023, the infielder was named the 7A Hitter of the Year after recording a .487 batting average.
Motes shined with three straight 7A All-State team selections and quickly brought that impact to Troy. She racked up a three-hit game during Troy's 27-4 win over Snead.
An outfielder from Villa Rica, Ga., Ferro, hit at a .444 clip in high school. She won two 5A Region Championships and was a 5A All-Region First Team member from 2021-23.
After a successful high school career as an offensive powerhouse, Oliva committed to the Trojans as a catcher and utility player. The Ponte Vedra, Fla., native received two offensive slugger of the year awards and posted a stellar junior season where she hit .451 with 29 RBIs and four home runs. Oliva also recorded a multi-hit game in the fall against Northwest Florida.
Ueberroth comes to Troy from Pensacola, Fla., where she put up an impressive high school career. The infielder won both offensive and defensive accolades and brings a well-rounded skillset to the Trojans. Against Chipola in fall ball, Ueberroth mashed a home run as part of an 18-1 Troy win.
Alabaster, Ala., native Williams was named a member of the Alabama All-State team from 2021-23 and had a .438 batting average in high school. The utility player won an Alabama State Championship and a 7A Area Championship with Thompson High School in 2022.
Over her high school career, pitcher Fleck punched out over 500 batters. Fleck wasted no time carrying that to college, firing multiple scoreless outings from the circle. She had four strikeouts over two innings against Northwest Florida.
The Trojans open the season on Friday, Feb. 7, with a home tilt against Central Michigan at 2:30 p.m.
"If you look at Troy softball, there's been a lot of good players that have come through the program, like Libby, who didn't do much as a freshman," Newell said. "We're banking on some freshmen to contribute and make impacts this year."
Emily Ferro, Caiden Oliva, Reaghan Oney, Hallie Ueberroth, Laney Williams, Dailynn Motes, Ally Fleck, Reese Green and Mya Holt represent the future – and the present – of Troy softball.
"We try to get the best players we can, regardless of their position," Newell said. "The Sun Belt plays at a very high level, so we need players who can compete now."
Alabama Softball Gatorade Player of the Year Holt caps off the Trojans' recruiting class, and she looks to make an instant impact. Holt starred at Wetumpka High School both as a pitcher and hitter.
She ended her career with a 1.48 ERA and 757 strikeouts from the circle, and 70 homers and a 1.385 OPS from the batter's box. The Yellow Jackets stood no chance against Holt in fall ball, as she held Georgia Tech to one hit in five innings of scoreless ball.
Oney brings a considerable power bat to the Trojans – she mashed 24 homers in her senior season and ended her high school career with 69 round-trippers. She was named Miss Kentucky Softball in 2024, among many other awards.
Following a successful stint at West Nassau High School in Florida, Green committed to Troy and has shown her talent in fall ball. She notched a multi-hit game in a 7-5 loss to ACC foe Georgia Tech.
Motes – who committed to Troy with her high school teammate Williams – was a force to be reckoned with in high school. In 2023, the infielder was named the 7A Hitter of the Year after recording a .487 batting average.
Motes shined with three straight 7A All-State team selections and quickly brought that impact to Troy. She racked up a three-hit game during Troy's 27-4 win over Snead.
An outfielder from Villa Rica, Ga., Ferro, hit at a .444 clip in high school. She won two 5A Region Championships and was a 5A All-Region First Team member from 2021-23.
After a successful high school career as an offensive powerhouse, Oliva committed to the Trojans as a catcher and utility player. The Ponte Vedra, Fla., native received two offensive slugger of the year awards and posted a stellar junior season where she hit .451 with 29 RBIs and four home runs. Oliva also recorded a multi-hit game in the fall against Northwest Florida.
Ueberroth comes to Troy from Pensacola, Fla., where she put up an impressive high school career. The infielder won both offensive and defensive accolades and brings a well-rounded skillset to the Trojans. Against Chipola in fall ball, Ueberroth mashed a home run as part of an 18-1 Troy win.
Alabaster, Ala., native Williams was named a member of the Alabama All-State team from 2021-23 and had a .438 batting average in high school. The utility player won an Alabama State Championship and a 7A Area Championship with Thompson High School in 2022.
Over her high school career, pitcher Fleck punched out over 500 batters. Fleck wasted no time carrying that to college, firing multiple scoreless outings from the circle. She had four strikeouts over two innings against Northwest Florida.
The Trojans open the season on Friday, Feb. 7, with a home tilt against Central Michigan at 2:30 p.m.
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