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Brown College freshman Olivia Pichardo made NCAA historical past this week by changing into the primary lady to be named to a Division I varsity baseball roster.
The 18-year-old from Queens, N.Y., started her collegiate baseball journey this semester whereas taking part in walk-on tryouts for the Bears baseball group. Then Pichardo accomplished an evaluation course of which included practices and exercises with the present roster.
“It was positively a surreal second for me as a result of it’s one thing that I’ve needed since eighth grade, Pichardo stated, via Brown’s press release. “It’s form of loopy to know that I’m residing out my dream proper now and my superb school expertise that I’ve at all times needed, in order that’s actually cool.”
Pichardo famous that she’s been taking part in baseball since she was in kindergarten. She additionally made the roster for the 2022 USA Baseball Girls’s Nationwide Workforce as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder. The match was held by Baseball For All, a nonprofit group that strives to offer ladies with extra alternatives within the sport.
In response to Baseball for All, 20 ladies have appeared on collegiate baseball rosters beforehand, with at the very least eight poised to play subsequent season. However none have performed on the Division I stage. Julie Croteau was the primary lady to make a collegiate baseball roster in 1989 at Division III St. Mary’s School of Maryland.
“I’m simply actually glad that we’re having increasingly feminine baseball gamers on the collegiate stage, and it doesn’t matter what division, it’s simply actually good to see this development,” Pichardo stated. “It’s actually paving the best way for different women within the subsequent technology to even have these targets that they need to obtain and dream massive and know that they’ll do it.”
Brown coach Grant Achilles praised the freshman for her tryout efficiency, which led her to creating the roster.
“Olivia put collectively probably the most full walk-on tryout I’ve seen from a participant since changing into a head coach,” Achilles stated.
Pichardo will function a utility participant, taking part in each the infield and outfield through the upcoming season, which begins in February 2023.
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