Rylee Ripperger '26 Recruiting Profile

As the youngest sister of two older sisters who played college sports, my dream has always been to follow in their footsteps.  I grew up on the softball field even before I made my appearance September 7, 2007.  My mom coached all the way up to my delivery day.  I made my softball debut at age 6, skipping right over the Tee Ball and Rec leagues going straight to an 8U travel team.  Since I was the youngest and not part of the initial core group, I found myself not getting the acknowledgment and opportunities I deserved based off my skill.  I had to “stick it out” for the season because the rule in our family is that you don’t quit on your team.  That rule of sticking out your commitment no matter what the repercussions are should be changed.  The result for me was not wanting to play softball and turning to basketball.  My mom and others saw my potential for softball.  Being a coach,  head of a travel program, she knew that the love for the game was still in me.  She knew it was about finding the right team, the right coach, the right program for me.   I ended up in the Cincy Slammers Fastpitch Organization.  My mom and her staff pushed me hard.  She never cut me slack.  She got me with the right trainers for hitting and pitching that brought that passion back.  I am extremely versatile and will play anywhere I am needed.  Being a true lefty does bring some challenges at different positions on the infield, but I know how to play them all including catcher.  I understand the game and I don’t rattle easily.  It’s been ingrained in me that errors will happen just don’t continue to make the same ones.  The pitching aspect of the game has now become of passion.  My goal is to be a D1 pitcher.  I know I must work hard, and I am constantly reminded about being blessed with the gifts of athleticism, height, and intelligence.  I believe my athlete mentally has shaped my academic competitiveness at school.  My grades are extremely important.  My parents have not changed the bar setting for academic expectation from where it was set for my sisters.  As a student athlete, I realize how important it is to work hard at academics as well as the sport.  I put in hard work outside of school and practice.   My goal is with a strong work ethic for both academics and sports that this will allow me the privilege to be chosen to be part of a D1 Softball Program.  I want to be that athlete on TV that is part of the big win for their team.  I want to make my coaches proud, every one of them that have sacrificed their time to help me achieve my goals.  I want to make my siblings and parents proud.  But most of all, I want this for ME.