BERKELEY – Olivia Pichardo, who in 2023 became the first woman ever to appear in an NCAA Division I baseball game, has joined the California softball team for the 2027 season.

Pichardo, who recently wrapped up her collegiate baseball career at Brown University, joins the Golden Bears program as a grad transfer. It will be her first time ever playing organized softball.

"We are really excited to welcome Olivia to our program," Cal head coach Steve Singleton said. "She is an elite athlete for our game who brings a great combination of speed, strength, arm strength and bat speed to a new sport. Her experience playing baseball her entire life will bring some intangibles to our team that will be helpful for the group. Her story is one that is fun to be a part of and we see her ability translating on the field this year."

Pichardo appeared in six career games at Brown. When she entered a game as a pinch hitter on March 17, 2023, she became the first woman to play in an NCAA Division baseball game. She grounded out to first base.

Pichardo has also spent four years with the U.S. Women's National Baseball Team.

"I'm super excited to start my softball career playing in the ACC at Cal," Pichardo said. "I'm excited to have the Bay Area as my new home and help brings some wins to a brand new ballpark with a great group of girls."

The Bears begin play at the renovated Cal Softball Field for the 2027 season.

 
STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal softball, please follow the Bears on X (CalSB), Instagram (CalSB) and Facebook (CalSoftball).