Olivia Pichardo: Breaking Barriers in NCAA Division I Baseball

A lofty plan by a dad and his daughter produced Brown’s Olivia Pichardo, the first woman on a Division 1 baseball roster

The Remarkable Journey of the First Female Athlete, Olivia Pichardo, on a Varsity Roster

Brown University undergraduate Olivia Pichardo has made history by becoming the first female athlete in NCAA Division I history to be named to a varsity baseball roster. This remarkable achievement is not only a personal milestone for Pichardo but also a groundbreaking moment for women in sports.

Pichardo, an 18-year-old first-year student from Queens, New York, has been dedicated to baseball since the age of 5. Despite being a female athlete in a predominantly male sport, she never wavered in her determination to play at the college level. Upon starting her first semester at Brown in September, Pichardo participated in grueling walk-on tryouts, enduring weeks of rigorous practice and workouts with current players. Her hard work paid off when she secured a spot on the team for the 2023 season.

It was definitely a surreal moment for me because it’s something that I’ve wanted since eighth grade, Pichardo said. It’s kind of crazy to know that I’m living out my dream right now and the ideal college experience that I’ve always wanted, so that’s really cool.

Baseball for All, a nonprofit organization working towards gender equity in baseball, reports that nearly 20 women have been members of collegiate baseball rosters at various schools. However, none have achieved this at the NCAA Division I level. Pichardo acknowledges the significance of her achievement and expresses gratitude to those who inspired her along the way.

I’m just really glad that we’re having more and more female baseball players at the collegiate level, and no matter what division, it’s just really good to see this progression, Pichardo said. It’s really paving the way for other girls in the next generation to also have these goals that they want to achieve and dream big and know that they can do it.

Brown University Baseball Head Coach Grant Achilles was highly impressed by Pichardo’s athleticism, versatility, and strength during her standout tryout. She demonstrated proficiency as a middle infielder, outfielder, and pitcher.

Every fall, we hold tryouts for students interested in joining our team, said Coach Achilles. It’s a workout common for baseball and allows us to evaluate athleticism and arm strength, as well as both offensive and defensive skills. Olivia put together the most complete walk-on tryout I have seen from a player since becoming a head coach.

Pichardo’s journey in baseball began in the Forest Hills Little League in Queens when she was just a kindergartener. Her dedication led her to play travel baseball on Long Island and varsity high school baseball at Garden School in Queens, even as a seventh and eighth grader. She further honed her skills playing for the New York Crush and Next Level Baseball.

Her ambition reached new heights when, at 16, she aimed to play on the USA Baseball Women’s National Team. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this dream was delayed until the summer of 2022. Pichardo’s tryout experience at Target Field in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Twins, was a defining moment.

During the trials, we got to play at the Twins’ stadium, which was really, really cool, Pichardo recalled. I got to start on the mound there and feel what it’s like to pitch on a Major League mound. It was just so perfect.

Successfully making the USA Baseball Women’s National Team as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder, Pichardo participated in the Summer 2022 Friendship Series against Team Canada, where USA Baseball clinched the five-game series 3-2.

Off the field, Pichardo interned in the New York Mets’ amateur scouting department. Her commitment to Brown University and the baseball team led her to reach out to Coach Achilles and gather as much information as possible about the team and the tryout process.

I always just wanted to play college baseball, no matter what division it was, Pichardo emphasized.

Despite being often the only woman on all-male teams throughout her baseball career, Pichardo felt a warm welcome during her first practice with the Brown baseball players. This turned her initial nervousness into excitement.

Coach introduced me to the entire team, and all of them greeted me warmly, Pichardo shared. Everybody was super welcoming, and I really felt that from my teammates.

In a surprise announcement during a team meeting, Coach Achilles revealed that Pichardo had made the team, leading to an eruption of applause from her new teammates.

I did not expect that at all — that definitely took me by surprise, Pichardo said. Everyone was super happy about it.

For Pichardo, making the baseball team during her first semester at Brown was the culmination of being accepted into her favorite Ivy League school. The distinctive Open Curriculum and supportive academic culture were key factors that drew her to Brown.

It’s just so set apart, Pichardo explained. Brown’s academic philosophy is really helpful in shaping students to be successful.

Embracing the flexibility of the Open Curriculum, Pichardo is exploring various interests in her academic pursuits.

I think that it really allows me to explore academic areas that I never had the chance to explore in high school, Pichardo said. So I’m doing that right now, and it’s been a great experience overall.

Olivia Pichardo of Brown University becomes the first woman to play Division I baseball

Balancing the demands of Brown’s rigorous coursework with baseball practice and training, Pichardo thrives on the focus and time management required.

It’s stressful, but it’s the stress that I want, Pichardo said. I played sports my whole life, so I feel like having sports and then having my academics, it’s just a good balance for me.

Pichardo is one of 31 players on the Brown baseball Spring 2023 roster, serving as a utility player capable of playing both infield and outfield positions. She was eagerly anticipating the start of the season on Feb. 24, 2023, with a four-game series at Georgia State.

For now, Pichardo is dedicated to her studies and baseball training, focusing less on her historic role as the first woman to play NCAA Division I baseball.

I did achieve my goal of playing D1 baseball at a really good school academically, Pichardo concluded. I’m trying to take it day by day, really just focusing on becoming the best baseball player that I can be and doing what I can to help out the team.

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