The softball part of the Olympics ended last Tuesday with Japan beating Team USA for the Gold medal. USA took the silver and Canada got the bronze. While I totally was behind Team USA, I did have some divided loyalties because I had friends on all six teams.
Emily Carosone played collegiate softball at Auburn University. Her Auburn teams captured the 2015 and 2016 SEC Tournament titles, as well as back-toback Women's College World Series appearances. Emily is Auburn's all-time leader in career hits (285), batting average (.406), runs (267) on base percentage (.534) and hit by pitches (85). She is ranke in the top ten of most other categories. In short, she wwas a stud at Auburn.
From there, she was selected by the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits in the 2016 Draft. She played three seasons with the Bandits, followed by 2019 split between the Cleveland Comets and the USSSA Pride.
After gaining dual citizenship, Emily started playing for Team Italy in 2019. Italy won the gold medal in the 2021 European Championship. She went on to earn a spot on the Olympic roster, becoming the first Olympian in Auburn softball history.
Team Italy had a rough time at the Olympics, going 0-5. Emily went hitless, but reached base three times after getting hit. Italy didn't score a run and got only 13 total hits.
Despite the outcome, Emily and Italy should be proud of the accomplishment. The Olympics featured 90 elite softball players. A poor showing in these games doesn't take away from their talent and achievements.
Emily is currently an assistant coach at Auburn. I see a bright future for her and I wish her well always. An old interview with Emily can be found at On the Beat With Emily Carosone.
Emily Carosone and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2017.
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