Lexington softball star Livi Warren is entering her junior year and already has four years of varsity experience under her belt.

Warren has quickly jumped on the scene and become one of the team’s most integral pieces. She is a two-time All-State selection and was recently named the Chronicle’s female Athlete of the Year. She had an exceptional 2024 season, fulfilling personal goals and helping the Wildcats advance to the 5A state title game.

Her success was earned after years of practice and training. She started playing at a young age and has yet to look back. She credits her early interest in the game to her dad, who was often helping out with coaching.

“He played a big role in getting me into softball and getting me on a team because he did coach a lot of my softball teams too,” Warren said. “He was always there as a mentor and a supporter for me during that time when I was just getting into the sport.”

Success was not easy at first. Warren did not want to distinguish herself from the other girls when she was younger, so even though she was a lefty, she played like a righty.

“That first season we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, she is the worst athlete ever. Like she’s never going to be able to play,’” said Holly Warren, Livi’s mom.  “But she finally decided to go lefty and just kind of took off from there.”

Warren continued playing for recreational and travel teams. She was often going out of town for tournaments with one of her parents, while the other stayed home with her three younger siblings. This created unique one-on-one bonding opportunities.

“We really just tried to make the most of it, traveling around, and even though it split our family a little bit, the one of us that got to go with her, really got to enjoy just that one-on-one time,” Holly said.

Around the time Livi turned 10, her skills really started to shine through. She was playing with her dominant hand and separating herself from other kids her age.

“She really had a good sense of the game, just kind of knowing where to be on the field, backing up bases, taking extra bases, knowing where to throw the ball,” said Matt Warren, Livis’s father. “As she’s gotten older, she’s gotten more power and more home runs and more doubles and things. But I think 10u we started to say, ‘Yeah, I think she really can.’”

In seventh grade, Warren got the opportunity to try out for the varsity softball team at Lexington High School. The Wildcats’ coach, Laurie Epps, had heard about Livi’s potential and gave her a spot on the team.

“I’ve heard that she was talented, and then, when I got to see her in person, I realized that, yeah, she did have some potential,” Epps said. “She originally was a first baseman, but obviously we had plenty of first basemen at that point, and we knew we had to find a way to get her on the field. She started playing outfield and she has turned into one of the best outfielders that I think we’ve had come through.”

Playing on varsity as a seventh grader was a nerve-wracking experience. She was young and playing against girls four or five years older than her.

“I was definitely really nervous,” Livi said. “[Coach Epps] was like, ‘Libby, I know you’re young, and I know you kind of just got here like three weeks ago, but I need you in this preseason tournament and don’t mess up.’”

Livi did not mess up much that first season. In fact, she made plays that helped the team win games.

“We played at Berkeley in the playoffs that year. That was her seventh-grade year and she actually started out in right field,” Matt said. “The first batter of the game for Berkeley hit a ball, and it must have been 200 feet in the air to right field … We’re all like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and she caught it. Then we all kind of breathe a sigh of relief. I’m like, ‘Okay, she can do it. We’re good.’”

Warren has improved each season at Lexington and helped the team advance to the 5A state title series in 2024. The team lost to a formidable Summerville team, but it gave Livi and the team another source of motivation.

“We knew it was going to be hard, so it was definitely disappointing for everyone, especially the seniors, that being their last game,” Livi said. “I think that really did motivate us. We talk about it all the time in the weight room because we have summer workouts right now. We’re ready to be back.”

When not playing softball, Livi can be found playing pickleball, shopping, swimming or taking care of her two Nigerian dwarf goats. She is also part of Lexington High School’s Students in Action club. Last school year, she won the athletic department’s service award.

“I’ve loved serving since I was little,” Livi said. “I think that’s because of my parents, they’ve taught me really young to help the community and to do what I’m passionate about. And I’ve always been passionate about helping people in need and especially children.”

Warren is an overall well-rounded student athlete. She is hoping her contributions on the field and off spark interest in college programs as her recruitment process is just beginning. 

“It’s definitely a lot and it’s exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking at times,” Livi said. “I’ve been going to showcases with my travel team and I’ve been going to college camps. So it’s been really exciting. I’m excited to see where God puts me and what his plans are for me.”

As skilled as Livi is, Epps said she has room to continue improving during her last few years at Lexington.

“I don’t think she’s peaked yet,” Epps said. “I think she’s getting closer, but she’s got a lot more that I think she can tap into, and she’s going to continue to be a fixture for us.”

Livi has her own goals she wants to complete by the time she graduates. She wants to be a good teammate, win more games and win a tattoo bet against outfield coach Lindsey Mason.

“She told me if I hit 20 home runs in my entire career at Lexington, I can personally tattoo her with whatever I want because she has a personal tattoo gun,” Livi said. “That would be my greatest life accomplishment if I get to tattoo my coach.”