For Abigail Silvestrich, sports have always been more than just a pastime, they’re a way of life. As a senior at Analy High School, Abigail has excelled in multiple sports, breaking barriers and setting examples along the way. From being a varsity flag football captain to being the only girl on the baseball team, her journey is one of perseverance, leadership, and love for the game.
Abigail’s athletic story began when she was just four years old when her parents signed her up for tee-ball after noticing her natural athletic abilities. Though reluctant at first, once her dad said he would be her coach, she agreed to try it out for one year. She quickly fell in love with baseball, a sport she never abandoned, even in the face of discrimination. “I’m proud to say that I never switched to softball after multiple years of discrimination because I was the only girl on the team,” Abigail shared. She went on to play basketball from sixth grade through her junior year of high school. When her friends encouraged her to join the school’s flag football team in her junior year, she didn’t hesitate. “I grew up always playing sports with my brothers, and it’s weird for me when I’m not being active in some sort of way,” she said.
Her proudest achievement in baseball came when she was selected to attend the prestigious MLB Develops Girls Breakthrough Series at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. The journey began with MLB GRIT, a nationwide event designed to showcase skills in hitting, throwing, and running. Abigail attended her session in San Francisco, where she had the opportunity to demonstrate her abilities alongside other talented athletes. From there, she was selected to participate in the Elite Development Invitational (EDI) in Florida, which brought together around 90 girls, including both baseball and softball players. “It was super fun because I got to meet so many new amazing people,” Abigail recalled. The camp not only provided high-level coaching but also fostered a strong sense of community among the players.
After proving herself at EDI, Abigail earned a spot in the Breakthrough Series, an exclusive program that offered even more specialized training. With only 32 participants, the event focused on in-depth skill development, bringing together some of the top young female baseball players in the nation and giving Abigail the opportunity to hone her skills while training under former MLB players, coaches, and members of the Women’s National Team. When Abigail found out that she’d been selected for the program, her reaction was bittersweet. “My reaction was crying at first because my dad was really enthusiastic about my chances of making it, and he died a couple of days before I found out I was picked,” she reflected. “It was really hard to attend EDI without him there, but I knew I had to go to make him proud.”
Abigail’s versatility extends beyond baseball. As a flag football captain, she led her team to an impressive 12-3 record during her senior season. “This flag football team was especially important to me because I convinced all of my friends to play, and we just had fun every practice and game,” she said. One of her favorite memories from the flag football season was their opening game against Cardinal Newman. “It was really amazing because we did really well as a team, and no one really did anything wrong,” Abigail shared. This victory set the tone for the long season ahead.
Through all of her accomplishments, Abigail remains grounded and passionate about inspiring others. Representing Analy High School, she strives to embody values like humility, sportsmanship, and dedication. “I put all of my effort into each sport I play because I’m extremely competitive and I love winning,” she said. She was awarded MVP for both years of playing varsity flag football, a recognition that reflects not just her physical ability but also her leadership and influence on her team. Her commitment and ability to elevate those around her were also acknowledged in her sophomore year when she received the “Tiger Award” in JV baseball. This award was given to players who demonstrated consistent effort, determination, and a strong will to always give their best on the field.
Abigail’s impact on her teams extends beyond her impressive athleticism. Her teammate, Paige Goodson, described her as “passionate, funny, and athletic as hell,” highlighting her ability to both energize the team and lead by example. “You are a leader in keeping your team’s energy and motivation high, while also contributing your athletic abilities to work for a win,” Paige shared. In addition to her leadership qualities on the field, Abigail is known for her sense of humor and lightheartedness, which makes a big difference when the team faces tough situations. “People have also said that I am funny and make light of a lot of things when everyone is in a bad mood to make them feel better,” she reflected.
Balancing school, sports, and work can understandably be a challenge sometimes, but Abigail manages to fit it all in by scheduling fun activities around her sports commitments. She works two jobs at Coaches Corner and Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol to save extra spending money, though this often leaves little time for other things. Outside of her busy schedule, Abigail enjoys snowboarding when she can, especially hitting jumps and rails, and she loves hanging out with her friends and family, often asking them to try new places to eat with her after school. She’s also a fan of classic 80s and 90s movies, with “A League of Their Own” and “16 Candles” being among her favorites.
Throughout her athletic career, Abigail’s biggest role model has been her older brother, Ethan. Growing up watching him play baseball, she always admired his skills and looked up to him. “I’ve always wanted to be like him when I play,” she shared, especially since they both played second base. Ethan has also been a valuable resource for advice, particularly on how to improve her game at that position. Abigail also credits her flag football coach, Abby Morales, for having a special impact on her athletic journey. Coach Morales was not only knowledgeable and fair but also created a supportive and fun environment. “She was such an amazing coach for the two years that I was on her team,” Abigail said. They developed a strong friendship, and Abigail still stays in touch with her, talking to her almost every day.
As she looks ahead, Abigail plans to continue breaking barriers in sports. With aspirations to try out for the Women’s National Baseball Team, continue to play flag football, as well as pursue a career in the medical field, following her father’s steps as a firefighter/paramedic, she is determined to make an impact both on and off the field. Abigail’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with dedication and resilience. Through her leadership and determination, she continues to inspire those around her, both in sports and in life.
