Arizona softball now has four representatives in the Tokyo Olympics as rising sophomore Giulia Koutsoyanopulos was named to Team Italy’s roster on Monday.
A speedy first baseman with a great glove, Koutsoyanopulos hit .231 with three hits (all singles) and five stolen bases in her first season with the Wildcats. She mostly served as a pinch runner and defensive replacement for Carlie Scupin in the late innings.
Before joining the Cats, Koutsoyanopulos, a Mission Viejo, California native, was a top-50 recruit after a stellar career with the OC Batbusters and at Capistrano Valley High School, where she hit .542 as a senior with a 1.633 OPS and four home runs.
Former UA pitchers Danielle O’Toole (Mexico) and Taylor McQuillin (Mexico) and catcher Dejah Mulipola (United States) will also be playing in the Tokyo Olympics. The softball games get underway on July 21.
Former Arizona head coach Mike Candrea, who has coached Team USA to gold and silver medals in the past, is an advisor for Team Italy but said during his retirement press conference that “the only way I’m going to be at the Olympic Games is if I have red, white and blue on.”
“G’s a really good defensive player and and we’ve got to have her on the field when the game’s on the line,” Candrea said of Koutsoyanopulos during the 2021 season. “She makes me feel very comfortable and that’s her strength but she’s worked really hard with her offensive side of the ball and is getting better.”
Here’s Italy’s full roster:
- Ilaria Cacciamani
- Emily Carosone
- Elisa Cecchetti
- Greta Cecchetti
- Amanda Fama
- Andrea Filler
- Marta Gasparotto
- Andrea Howard
- Giulia Koutsoyanopulos
- Alexia Lacatena
- Giulia Longhi
- Fabrizia Marrone
- Erika Piancastelli
- Beatrice Ricchi
- Laura Vigna