Bases Loaded

Ashley Trierweiler ’23 has hit it out of the park. She’s playing for the New York Rise, one of four teams in the inaugural season of the Association of Fastpitch Professionals (AFP), the latest women’s professional league.

Trierweiler played softball at SCU while double majoring in psychology and child studies, then played some more at Grand Canyon University as a graduate student. SCU softball coach Gina Carbonatto describes her as extremely competitive, versatile, and talented, and a great mentor to younger players.

“She’s the kind of player that’s fun to coach as well because she can physically do what we’re asking her to do,” Carbonatto says.

Before playing first base at GCU, Trierweiler was an outfielder all four years at SCU. Known for her defensive closing speed, the left-handed hitter made countless diving catches that seemed impossible on the field.

Trierweiler’s signing comes as elite women’s sports are experiencing something of a renaissance. Viewership is up for women’s professional basketball. Pro women’s soccer is establishing new teams for the NWSL across the country. Yet the sport of softball is finding it difficult to get over that professional hump. The transition to higher levels remains challenging due to factors like cost, long-term sustainability, and selective recruitment.

“As you go down levels, the opportunity decreases even more to be seen, heard, known and then compete so for her to be able to get the opportunity, and then get some playing time and thrive is special,” Carbonatto says.