For most college athletes, summer break means rest, training, and maybe a few weekend tournaments. But for three Capital softball players, this summer was anything but typical. Autumn Bridges ’26, criminology, psychology, and sociology, Emma Sweetman ’26, marketing, and Megan Parry ’27, criminology and pre-law, traded the familiar diamonds of Ohio for fields halfway across the world, representing Capital Softball in Italy.
“I am incredibly proud of Autumn, Emma, and Megan for representing Capital University Softball overseas at such a high level. These three are not only talented athletes, but also wonderful women who continue to grow both on and off the field,” said Anna Kirk-Hamilton, head softball coach.
“Their journey was more than just about softball, it was about embracing new challenges, experiencing a different culture, and discovering more about themselves along the way. We are so thankful to the families who supported them in making this amazing opportunity possible. What an unforgettable experience for our Comets!”
The opportunity came last summer when the players received an unexpected email from Coach Kirk-Hamilton. They had been invited by American International Sports Tours to join an international roster playing against Italian club teams. Selection was based on coach recommendations, conference stats, and season performance.
“At first, I thought it was a joke,” Bridges admitted. “I never imagined my softball career would lead to an international opportunity. Capital has opened doors for me I never thought possible, and with only one season left, it was a great way to end my career, going to play from the States to an international setting.”
For Sweetman, the trip meant a leap into the unknown. “I’d never been on a plane before, never traveled. Coach Kirk told me it was the kind of chance you don’t pass up, and she was right. I have to say it was truly once in a lifetime. It was even better being with my teammates.”
Parry felt honored just to be asked. “I was surprised when I got the email. My hometown of Newcomerstown, Ohio, really backed me, helping me raise the money with 50/50 raffles at basketball games. Everyone was so excited for me.”
Preparation for the trip was almost as memorable as the journey itself. Bridges and Sweetman hosted a softball camp to help cover expenses.
“I’ve been to a lot of camps, but never hosted one,” Sweetman said. “We were very blessed with the outcome as well. We had a great turnout, and it was so rewarding.”
The ten-day trip combined sightseeing with competition, with four games scheduled against local teams. In Italy, softball is played through community clubs rather than schools, so the opposing teams included players as young as 14 and as old as 27. Despite the age differences, the games were fiercely competitive.
“From a softball standpoint, it was very different. Almost every team that we played we sat and ate dinner with them after the game. There was one team in Lucca which was by far the best team, the best night we had. We ended the night doing dances with them. It was so much fun,” said Bridges.
Sweetman remembered another team stacked with “lefty slappers” who impressed her with their skill and love of the game.
“I was talking to their coach, and their goal is to play softball in the States one day, which I thought was really cool to see,” said Sweetman.
For Parry, the experience rekindled the joy of the sport.
“I feel like the Italian teams brought meaning back to playing softball. We play all year; we’re always working on it. But seeing how much they played for the love of the game brought me back to why I started playing in the first place,” said Parry.
That sentiment was shared by all three.
“It wasn’t just about wins or losses,” Bridges said. “We went back to being little kids and having fun. It was just playing softball with your friends.”
The trip also included plenty of cultural exploration. Between games, the players visited multiple cities, spending long days sightseeing. One day, before a game against Lucca, they took a two-hour bike ride.
“At first, we were like, really? Before a game?” Sweetman laughed. “But it ended up being one of the coolest experiences. I learned so much history, and now I get to bring that experience back home.”
Looking ahead to the next season, the lessons learned in Italy will stay with them.
Parry summed it up: “I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, but in Italy I learned to play loose. Have fun, play your best, but don’t overthink it.”
The journey was one these three softball players will never forget. They returned not just with souvenirs and photos, but with new friendships, renewed passion, and a reminder that softball is, at its heart, a game to be enjoyed, no matter where in the world you play it.
To learn more about Capital University Softball, visit https://athletics.capital.edu/sports/softball.