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Olivia Pichardo is the first woman to make roster of Division I baseball team : NPR


Olivia Pichardo, 18, has been enrolled on the Brown University baseball team. She was the first woman on the roster for a Division I baseball team in the United States

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Olivia Pichardo, 18, has been enrolled on the Brown University baseball team. She was the first woman on the roster for a Division I baseball team in the United States

Brown University Athletics

When Brown University baseball season kicks off in February, one of the pitchers will make history. Olivia Pichardo, a freshman from Queens, NY, will be the first woman on the roster of Division I college baseball in the United States

“It’s crazy to know that I’m living my dream right now and the ideal college experience I’ve always wanted, so that’s really cool,” Pichardo said in a press release. She said it was bizarre to be on the team, since her goal since eighth grade was to continue playing baseball in college.

Pichardo joined Brown’s team after auditions and a grueling evaluation process – in which she immediately made an impression. head coach, showcasing her abilities as a quarterback, quarterback and pitcher.

“It’s a common exercise for baseball and allows us to assess arm fitness and strength, as well as offensive and defense. “Olivia has put together the most complete practice session I’ve seen from a player since becoming head coach.”

The goal is just the latest achievement on the football field of Pichardo. I am 18 years old this year named in the list of the United States Women’s Baseball National Team as a pitcher and right-handed quarterback.

Pichardo will be a utility player for Brown, able to play both on and off the field.

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Pichardo will be a utility player for Brown, able to play both on and off the field.

Brown University Athletics

Women have made strides in the roster of baseball teams in recent years. In May, Kelsie Whitmore became the first woman to start competing in the Atlantic League professional baseball, go left field for Staten Island FerryHawks.

Baseball for All, an organization that advocates for girls and women in baseball, keep a list of colleges and universities that will consider talented players, regardless of gender. According to the organization, there are 8 women (including Pichardo) assigned to play varsity college baseball in the spring of 2023.

Pichardo said her teammates greeted and cheered her when she was added to the list.

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Pichardo said her teammates greeted and cheered her when she was added to the list.

Brown University Athletics

Pichardo will be a utility player both on and off the field when the college season begins. She said when Achilles announced in a team meeting in October that she had qualified, her new teammates applauded.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all – it definitely surprised me,” Pichardo said. “Everybody is very happy about that.”

And with any luck, she won’t be the last woman to play college baseball at the highest level.

“I’m really excited that we’re getting more and more female baseball players at the college level and regardless of division, it’s good to see this progress,” said Pichardo. “That really paves the way for other girls in the next generation to also have goals that they want to achieve and dream big and know they can do it.”

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