Cards Add Bri Despines to 2024-25 Roster
June 28, 2024 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville softball coach Holly Aprile has announced that  Bri Despines will join the Cardinals after two seasons at Kent State.
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Despines, a rising junior with two years of eligibility remaining, was an All-Mid-American Conference second team selection in 2024 and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team in 2023. The catcher from Creve Coeur, Illinois carries a .324 career batting average with 96 hits, 61 runs and 48 RBIs in 98 games.
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Last season, the two-year starter stood second among the Golden Flashes with a .338 batting average, 53 hits, 11 doubles and a .408 on-base percentage en route to earning all-conference honors. She immediately stepped into a starting role as a freshman and led the team with a .309 batting average, 31 runs scored and a .430 on-base percentage.
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Prior to her time at Kent State, Despines was a 2022 Illinois Player of the Year Finalist and a three-time all-state selection while helping East Peoria High School to a trio of Mid-Illini Conference titles. As a senior, she posted a school-record .567 batting average with 68 hits, 57 runs and 38 stolen bases while leading the Raiders to the Class 3A Regional Championship. Her impressive high school athletic resume also boasts a pair of National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region selections (2021, 2022) and three first team All-Conference nods.
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The 2022 Extra Innings Second Team All-American also played for the Beverly Bandits travel team, helping them to the 2019 16U PGF Premier National Championship.
Fans can follow Louisville Softball on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LouisvilleSB.
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Despines, a rising junior with two years of eligibility remaining, was an All-Mid-American Conference second team selection in 2024 and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team in 2023. The catcher from Creve Coeur, Illinois carries a .324 career batting average with 96 hits, 61 runs and 48 RBIs in 98 games.
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Last season, the two-year starter stood second among the Golden Flashes with a .338 batting average, 53 hits, 11 doubles and a .408 on-base percentage en route to earning all-conference honors. She immediately stepped into a starting role as a freshman and led the team with a .309 batting average, 31 runs scored and a .430 on-base percentage.
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Prior to her time at Kent State, Despines was a 2022 Illinois Player of the Year Finalist and a three-time all-state selection while helping East Peoria High School to a trio of Mid-Illini Conference titles. As a senior, she posted a school-record .567 batting average with 68 hits, 57 runs and 38 stolen bases while leading the Raiders to the Class 3A Regional Championship. Her impressive high school athletic resume also boasts a pair of National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region selections (2021, 2022) and three first team All-Conference nods.
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The 2022 Extra Innings Second Team All-American also played for the Beverly Bandits travel team, helping them to the 2019 16U PGF Premier National Championship.
Fans can follow Louisville Softball on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LouisvilleSB.
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