Brown University freshman Olivia Pichardo makes history, becomes first woman on Division I baseball roster

Starting her college freshman Olivia Pichardo is already making an impact.

The Brown University student became the first woman to make a Division I baseball roster.

Brown University Bears coach Grant Achilles revealed Monday that Pichardo would be a member of the varsity team for next season. Pichardo was a passing athlete and impressed the coaching staff during her tryouts.

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The Van Wickle Gates stand at the edge of Brown University’s main campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 16, 2022.
(Reuters/Brian Snyder)

Pichardo is an accomplished baseball player who has experience in multiple positions on the baseball diamond. She threw pitches for the USA Baseball Women’s National Team and also played the outfield.

For two weeks in the fall, Pichardo participated in practices and workouts with current players.

“Olivia put together the most comprehensive test I’ve seen from a player since he became head coach,” Achilles said in a press release.

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Pichardo was born in Queens, New York, and excelled in baseball at a young age. He played college baseball at the Garden School in seventh and eighth grade.

Sayles Hall and Brown University Campus in Providence, Rhode Island.

Sayles Hall and Brown University Campus in Providence, Rhode Island.
(Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

As a member of Team USA, he participated in the Friendship Series against Team Canada in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, over the summer. He also worked as an intern in the amateur scouting department for the New York Mets.

Pichardo, 18, said it was “a surreal moment” when he found out he was on the team.

The Brown University seal adorns the Van Wickle Gates at the edge of the main campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 16, 2022.

The Brown University seal adorns the Van Wickle Gates at the edge of the main campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 16, 2022.
(REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

“I’m living my dream right now and the ideal college experience that I’ve always wanted, so that’s great,” said Pichardo, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Mets on Women’s Day at Citi Field in August.

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According to Brown, approximately 20 women have made college baseball rosters, but Pichardo is the first to make a roster at the NCAA Division 1 level.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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