Natalia Rodriguez’s sports journey started at an early age- when she picked up baseball after watching her older brothers play. In fact, she didn’t even know that softball existed until her baseball coach told her about an opportunity to join a softball travel league. Little did she know that ten years later, she would end up playing Division 1 softball at the University of Michigan.

At Michigan, Natalia won three Big Ten regular season titles and competed in the Regional Finals twice in her collegiate career. She talks about what it took to achieve her dream of playing Division I softball, including working out with her brothers and hours of practice repetitions with her dad, who helped coach her. But above all else, it took an internal drive and belief in herself to reach her goals. In 2019, Natalia was selected to the Puerto Rican national softball team to compete in the Pan American games in Lima, Peru. Not only did she walk away with a bronze medal, but made friends with her teammates- many of whom she had competed against in the NCAA.

Softball unfortunately has limited opportunities for competition following college, and the pandemic canceled her final season. Natalia talks about the transition to a new life outside of sport, and the ability to try new things and explore other hobbies, like salsa dancing and traveling. Who knows what else is next for Natalia, but you better believe that once she sets her mind to it, she will achieve it.