VESTAL, N.Y. – Akira Kopec, a rising sophomore on the Binghamton softball team, has already made her mark as the starting shortstop. She was named second-team all-conference and was also was a member of the America East All-Rookie Team. In just her first season, Kopec was the only Bearcat player to start in all 47 games.

This summer, however, she made her mark in another sport – baseball. Kopec tried out for the USA National Women's Baseball Team and made the initial 35-player Training Camp roster. Although she did not make the final 20-player roster, the experience was one that she will not soon forget.

"I was super excited to be named to the Training Camp Roster, especially being that it was my first time going to one of these events," she said. "A lot of these girls have been participating in developmental programs since they were in little league and there are some veterans who have been on the team for 10+ years. It was a cool experience to play with and learn from teammates who have done instrumental things for women in baseball."

Kopec didn't know many people personally heading into the tryouts – but that changed by the end of the week.

"Going into the tryout, I knew of some players who have made groundbreaking strides for the sport - such as Kelsie Whitmore - who was the first female to play in MLB's Atlantic League - and Olivia Pichardo of Brown - who was the first female named to a Division I baseball roster," she said. "But on a personal level, I didn't know anyone who was participating. Obviously, this can be a little nerve racking but I immediately found myself to be surrounded by hundreds of exceptional people. By the end of the week I had met and befriended some amazing people."

Back at Binghamton, the support and pride for what Kopec did is definitely evident within the Bearcats' softball program.

What an amazing experience it was for Akira at the USA National Women's Baseball tryout," head coach Jess Bump said. "She is someone who has an incredible work ethic and is very determined to be the best version of herself in all aspects of life.  Baseball has always been close to her heart, and our program is super proud of how she performed and put herself and Binghamton Softball on the map."

While softball is the sport in which Kopec is currently competing, baseball was the first sport she ever played. Her roots in the sport date back to when she when she was only a year old.

"When I first came home from a heart surgery before I was two years old, despite my doctors warning my parents that I might be exhausted for days to come, I picked up a whiffle ball bat and pleaded with my dad to go play in the backyard," she said. "From that day on, nearly my entire childhood was spent on the baseball field. As kids, my group of neighborhood friends would ride bikes to our local park and play ball until the darkness forced us to find another activity to pursue."

Kopec eventually played for three district championship little league baseball teams - two of which went on to win sectionals and one that finished third in the state tournament. She also played travel baseball until her freshman year of high school.

"I wouldn't trade my time playing baseball for anything," she said. "It brought me countless lessons on life and sports, as well as friendships and mentors that I will have for a lifetime."

Kopec eventually started playing softball in high school but she never lost her passion for baseball.

"When I first made the transition to softball, I was looking for ways to stay involved in the baseball world and I came across the USA Baseball's Women's Team," she said. "I knew that when I was old enough, I wanted to give it a shot."

Having played both sports, Kopec is quick to point out the differences between baseball and softball.

"Baseball and softball are extremely similar in many aspects, but the speed of the games differ greatly," she said. "In baseball, the field is bigger so there is generally more time for the play to develop."

Kopec had two months between the end of the softball season at Binghamton in May and the start of the USA National Baseball Team tryout earlier this month. It gave her a chance to reflect on the success she and the Bearcats had in 2023.

"My freshman year at Binghamton was better than I could have ever imagined," she said. "Our team had one of the best years in program history (29-18) and I really feel like the 2023 squad laid the foundation for a great future for Binghamton softball."

A year after starting her career at Binghamton, Kopec has no regrets about her decision to become a Bearcat and is excited for the future.

"The program and culture that is being built here is exciting on so many levels," she said. "From the players, to the coaching staff, to the academic advisors and the Hungry Bearcat workers we have an amazing community. It's one of the greatest blessings of my life to be surrounded by so many good people. It makes playing softball feel like the biggest gift in the world and I can't wait to get back on the field with everyone this fall."