Sarah Alves ’24 has experienced softball on many levels, growing up playing on recreation, travel and club teams in addition to leading her LA team during an outstanding career that recently featured a rare high school milestone with her 100th career hit. The LA senior softball standout, who has committed to play at Fairleigh Dickinson University in the fall, recently took her talents to the international level as a member of the Brazilian U-18 national team.
Team Brazil competed in the Pan Am U-18 Softball Championships in Colombia earlier this spring and finished fourth in an 11-team field with a 5-4 record. Although Sarah recently sustained an ACL injury that will keep her sidelined for six months, she’s grateful for the experience and looks forward to the future with optimism.
“It is such an honor and blessing to be able to represent Team Brazil,” Sarah said. “Words cannot explain how amazing the whole experience has been on and off the field.”
While Sarah has pitched no-hitters, smashed home runs and made diving catches throughout her career, she never quite experienced the excitement of playing in front of huge crowds.
“The adrenaline rushes I had when we got on the field, and seeing a whole stadium full of people was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” she said. “Off the field, I participated in many interviews and everyone was so kind and the people of Montería, Colombia made the journey so much better as well.”
Sarah played outfield, her favorite position, throughout the tournament. Powerful batters on the opposing teams kept Sarah on her toes and she eagerly accepted the challenge. She made several amazing plays in the outfield and believes her communication skills improved after she made adjustments to what she called the softball language barrier. She played in seven of the 11 games and smashed one hard single in the tournament.
“I loved to represent the country of my roots and explore those with my teammates and coaches. I believe I have grown so much as a person by being able to travel and see the world in a different light,” Sarah said. “I’m hoping for a bright future with this team in the upcoming years!