PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Brown University student is making history as the first female athlete to ever make an NCAA Division I varsity baseball team.
Olivia Pichardo, an 18-year-old freshman from New York City, was named to the spring 2023 roster following a “stellar” walk-on tryout, the university said Monday.
Pichardo said she was elated.
“It was definitely a surreal moment for me because it’s something that I’ve wanted since eighth grade,” she said. “It’s kind of crazy to know that I’m living out my dream right now and my ideal college experience that I’ve always wanted, so that’s really cool.”
Head coach Grant Achilles said he was immediately impressed with Pichardo’s performance in multiple positions.
“Olivia put together the most complete walk-on tryout I have seen from a player since becoming a head coach,” he said.
Nearly 20 women have been named to baseball rosters at the college level, but none in Division I. That’s according to Baseball for All, a nonprofit that advocates for women’s opportunities to play and coach baseball.
