Mai Falcone, Amador Valley High School Junior, commits to Cornell University as a D1 athlete for softball, after going through the long recruitment process.
Lighting the Spark
“I chose softball because I grew up practicing with my brother and I realized that softball was for me. I love the competitiveness and team dynamic,” said Mai Falcone (‘26).
Mai Falcone is a softball player who has grown up playing the game since childhood. She fell in love with the sport with the help of her family and has dedicated herself to learning more about the sport since.
“I started playing softball because my brother grew up playing baseball. I always attended his games and I always wanted to learn,” said Falcone.
Through the ins and outs of softball, Falcone and her family decided to take the next step. Just at 13 years old, Mai had already begun her recruitment process to play professionally.
“The recruiting process is long and demanding but incredibly rewarding. With the support of my parents I’ve traveled around the country to find my perfect fit,” said Falcone.
Why Cornell?
That perfect fit was Cornell. After engaging with many top universities, Falcone ultimately decided to commit to Cornell “because of the coaches, the program, and how at home [she] felt.”
Although Amador has helped Falcone flourish her softball skills and leadership, she has had a mutual impact on the softball team itself. Her work ethic and commitment to the team enhanced the team’s strategy and helped lead to a phenomenal season.
“I would study and get reports on how the other team played and how their pitches were. I shared those with my teammates and that really helped us get prepared for what to expect and know what’s gonna happen before the game started,” said Falcone.
Her impact extends further from just her athletic skill, her teammates appreciate her outstanding energy and effort as a teammate.
“I feel like just every game with her, every practice with her is really memorable. She is a player who is always working at 200, and she always gives it her all. So it’s really fun just to get to play with her,” said Riya Sharda (‘25).
Mai Falcone’s journey from childhood to D1 athlete serves as an inspiration to many showcasing the value of hardwork and persistence. She looks ahead to her time at Cornell University, in hopes her commitment to excellence will serve her well in the future.
