ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell softball team welcomes six newcomers to its squad for the 2025 season. These athletes are coming from all around the United States from California to Michigan to New York and will look to help Cornell softball to its first winning season since 2012.
Those that will join the Big Red include four utility players (Charlize Cai, Olivia Green, Emma Harshberger and Susanna Pate), one outfielder (Addison Pressley) and one pitcher (Mila Fiordalisi).
"I'm very excited to welcome this group of six to Cornell softball," said Cornell softball head coach, Julie Farlow. "They are energetic, positive individuals from great families."
While the new additions are positive to the team off the field, they also bring a lot to the on the field aspect of being a student-athlete.
"On the field," said Farlow, "their versatility will bring us added depth to a talented and experienced group of returners."
Each of these new additions bring a unique and talented resume along with them in the sport. Let's take a look at the newcomers!
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Fr. • Utility • Folsom CA (Vista Del Lago High School)
Cai played four years of softball at Vista Del Lago High School...helped her team to a 2022 San Joaquin Section Championship...three time Capital Athletic League First Team...2022 Maxpreps San Joaquin Sophomore Player of the Year...two-time Maxpreps San Joaquin All Team honors...2024 Sac Bee First Team.
"I can't wait to play with an amazing group of girls," said Cai. "The girls on the team make me feel at home and I just can't wait to get on the field with them."
Fr. • Pitcher • Long Island, N.Y. (Saint Anthony's High School)
Fiordalisi is a three-time State Champion...the 2024 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year...the 2024 New York State Player of the Year...Newsday Player of the Year...and was on the Maxpreps All-American Team.
"I'm excited to play with this talented group and see what we can do this season," said Fiordalisi.
Fr. • Utility • Northville, MI (Northville High School)
Green is one-time All-Region...Three-time All-District… and three-time All-Conference.
"I'm excited to compete at a new level and see all this team can accomplish," said Green.
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Fr. • Utility • Quincy, IL (Highland High School)
Harshberger is a three-time high school team captain (2021,22,23)...2023 Conference Player of the Year...Three-time All-State (2021,22,23)...Four-time All-Region… (2020,21,22,23)...Four-Time All-District (2020,21,22,23)...and four-time All-Conference (2020,21,22,23).
"I'm most excited about being surrounded by people who will push me in both the classroom and on the field," said Harshberger.
Fr. • Utility • San Diego, CA (Coronado High School)
Pate was the San Diego City League Player of the Year in 2024...helped her team achieve two city league championships ...captained the team through its 2023 and 2024 seasons...named to the San Diego Eastern League First Team in 2021...two-time San Diego City League First Team All League Honors...named to the San Diego City League Second Team All League in 2023...earned the title of CHS Female Athlete of the Year and CHS Most Valuable Player in 2024...played club for Power Surge Berndes, Power Surge Berndes Trammel and Firecrackers Brachear Hicks 18U...also captained the basketball team and participated in sideline cheerleading as a base/flier.Â
"I'm excited to bring my game to the next level by learning from my amazing coaches and the talented, knowledgeable players around me," said Pate.
Fr. • Outfield • Knoxville, TN (Farragut High School)
Played four years at Farragut High School...was a Tennessee 3A State Champion (2021) and a Tennessee 4A State Champion (2022)...named a two-time captain for the 2023 and 2024 campaigns...earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State First Team in 2023...earned Tennessee Softball Coaches Association All-State Honors in 2024....two-time All-District First Team (2023 and 2024)...was awarded All-District Honorable Mention in 2022...two-time All-FiveStar Preps First Team and All-PrepXtra First Team (2023 and 2024)...received All-FiveStar Preps Second Team honors in 2022...a PrepXtra Girls Athlete of the Week in 2024...was awarded the Farragut Softball Silver Slugger award in 2023...was a nominee for Knox News Player of the Year in 2023...received the Farragut Softball Gold Glove award and Farragut Most Athletic Female award in 2024...career records at Farragut include; 2nd all-time in walks (59), 3rd all-time in runs scored (166), 6th all-time in hits (182) and 10th all-time in stolen bases (65).
"I am most excited about the opportunity to play and get better with my teammates," said Pressley.
With the 2025 slate right around the corner, Coach Farlow summed up the team's excitement best by saying, "We are eager to get started."
