Akira Kopec is a budding star for the Binghamton University softball team, but this summer, lived out a lifelong dream playing another sport.

Kopec was a member of the USA Women's baseball training camp, one of just 35 players in the country to be named to the squad. Kopec was ultimately left off the final roster, but getting the opportunity to play the sport she grew up loving was a dream come true.

"It as an amazing experience," Kopec said. "I played baseball all my life up until I was about 15 years old. So when I saw the opportunity to go compete playing baseball with a bunch of women, I was super excited and jumped at the opportunity."

"So playing with boys growing up, obviously it was a way for me to face adversity," Kopec said. "Early on, I was usually the only girl on the field, so I just had to learn how to be confident in myself despite what was going on around me. And I definitely grew and learned from that and also grew a whole bunch of great friendships and mentors along the way."

"I think it's amazing for girls to play baseball," Kopec said. "Any girl that asks me, you know, would I do it over again? I absolutely would. I wouldn't change a thing. I think playing baseball my whole life taught me how to be stronger and more mentally tough. Again, it brought me great friendships, great mentors, so I wouldn't change a thing about it."

Kopec started every game for the Bearcats last year as a freshman, earning America East second-team honors and being on the all-rookie team.