Olivia Pichardo, the trailblazing pitcher‑outfielder who made history as the first woman to appear in a Division I college baseball game, has now swapped the diamond for a new challenge on the softball field at the University of California, Berkeley.
A New Chapter in Berkeley
A 5‑foot‑7 left‑handed hitter from Queens, New York, Pichardo arrives in the Bay Area after four years with the U.S. Women’s National Baseball Team and a walk‑on stint at Brown University, where she logged five at‑bats and a mound appearance in six games. Her résumé also includes a summer‑league home run in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League, an all‑star nod, and a grand slam in the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup against Canada.
Cal coach Steve Singleton said he is thrilled to bring Pichardo’s blend of power and poise to the program, noting that her experience on the international stage should translate into immediate impact for a Golden Bears squad that finished the previous season at 15‑37.
Singleton highlighted the excitement of watching Pichardo’s left‑handed bat and right‑handed arm in practice, adding that the team is eager to see how her competitive fire will shape the lineup and help push the program back toward winning ways.
Pichardo herself expressed enthusiasm about starting her softball career at Cal, saying she is eager to contribute to victories and to continue building on the momentum she built while hitting a home run in the Hamptons league and representing her country on the world stage.