Allison Schroder will wear VIU Mariner colours for the 2021/22 season after committing to the school, becoming the first female athlete in the Canadian College Baseball Conference. (Adam Morissette/Baseball Canada)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

MAJOR OPPORTUNITY

‘I just want to be seen as a player:’ Schroder, VIU make collegiate baseball history

Feb 22, 2021 | 4:49 PM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners have their next ace on the mound.

Alli Schroder recently committed to the school to pursue her baseball dream and study environmental sciences.

She will also be the first female athlete in the Canadian College Baseball Conference, but isn’t dwelling on the milestone.

“I’m a baseball player, I just want to be seen as a player and just want to contribute to the team in any way that I can and put the female part aside for that aspect,” Schroder told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She said she’s happy though if others take motivation from her accomplishment.

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“I want it to be an example for female athletes not just in baseball but other sports…if you want to do it, you can do it. There’s nothing really separating you between girls and guys at this point…if you have the work ethic and you put the work into your skills, it’s totally possible.”

Originally from Fruitvale, B.C., Schroder grew up playing for a variety of school and representative teams in the Kootenay’s.

She also represented Team Canada at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in 2018, helping clinch a bronze medal as the winning pitcher in the medal game.

Schroder was cagey on the weaponry at her disposal on the mound but said her fastball currently tops out around 82 miles per hour and has a “pretty good slider.”

When she suits up for the Mariners beginning in the summer of 2021, she’ll be facing batters bigger, faster and stronger than her.

“It’s genetic, guys develop differently than girls do…they gain muscle a little bit faster and that’s just how it is. I like to throw the ball hard, I like to make it move a lot and I’ve never really had too much of an issue adapting around that.”

Nick Salahub, VIU baseball head coach, said at around 82 miles per hour, Schroder’s velocity is already in the middle or upper tier of pitchers at the collegiate level.

“The expectation for Alli is she’s going to be hopefully a major contributor at least out of the bullpen, worst case scenario, where she’s going to be able to come in a situation that’s right for her and get the job done.”

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