Gabriella Chrapek fulfills childhood dream to play college softball
Gabriella Chrapek grew up dreaming of playing Division I softball. Now, she'll get to live those dreams out at Syracuse. Courtesy of Gabriella Chrapek
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A young Gabriella Chrapek wouldn’t stop telling her parents she wanted to play collegiate softball. She played tee-ball when she was 4 but still desired to take the next step. So, when Chrapek was 7, she joined a Little League softball team, which required more intense competition and tournaments.
As Chrapek grew older, that competitive environment fueled her to keep playing softball. She shined on increasingly more demanding stages, ending her 2025 season at Deep Run High School (Virginia) with an astronomical .607 batting average, First Team All Region and Second Team All-State honors. She also led the Wildcats in on-base percentage (.667), slugging percentage (1.214) and triples (three).
Chrapek’s accolades garnered attention from the collegiate level. Listed as On3’s No. 85 recruit in the class of 2030, Chrapek became Syracuse’s highest-ranked commit in the group on Oct. 30, 2024. The USA Softball All-American brings versatility to the Orange, recruited as a utility player who can play multiple defensive positions.
“Being an all-around player, you can be put anywhere, anytime and you’re super well rounded,” Chrapek said. “If they’re missing somebody, they can put me in the outfield. If someone gets hurt in the infield, they can put me in the infield.”
SU checked all the boxes for Chrapek. Melissa Chrapek, Chrapek’s mother, spoke highly of Syracuse during the recruiting phase. She credited the softball team’s academic rigor and support to kickstart her potential nursing career.
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“The first thing was, ‘Who was she going to be around the most?’” Melissa said. “It was (the softball team). We felt so welcome and just part of the family right out the gate.”
Chrapek said the Orange’s team camaraderie was a deciding factor in her recruitment. Despite receiving an offer from James Madison, which is closer to Deep Run, Chrapek wanted the challenge of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“The games in the ACC, the matchups, they’re pretty intense, and it’s a different level of focus you have to have as an athlete to be ready to compete in a three-game series,” Chrapek said.
For six years as she developed, Chrapek was mentored by former Virginia pitcher and Deep Run head coach Tabby Dabney.
Dabney coached against Chrapek at a summer club tournament when she was 11, and despite Chrapek’s young age, she stood out. Soon after, when Dabney was looking for high school coaching jobs, she was attracted to Deep Run because she already knew Chrapek, who was then on the Wildcats’ middle school team, Dabney said.
Once Chrapek arrived at Deep Run, she reunited with Dabney.
“She is one of my most accountable players. I know I have no worries when Gabby’s up that she’s not gonna do something amazing,” Dabney said, “I know for a fact she’s either gonna hit a double or lay a bunt down.”
By recognizing Chrapek’s lofty goal of college softball, Dabney pushed her to the limit during their years together, she said. The practices emulated the demands of travel ball, Dabney said. Chrapek often stayed late for extra hitting and field drills.
Dabney recommended extra strength training for Chrapek in addition to her club and high school softball commitments. So, she trained with former MLB player Scott Sizemore to gain power at the plate and in the field, improving her all-around skills.
Chrapek’s extensive practice has helped her become a well-rounded offensive weapon, but Dabney called her glove and defense her best tool entering the collegiate level.
SU may need Chrapek’s multi-faceted game. The Orange have just two utility players on their roster — seniors Rose Cano and Madison Knight. When they graduate in May, Chrapek will be tasked with filling the sizable gap they leave behind.
Chrapek hasn’t stopped grinding since urging her parents to let her play softball. Now, she’s reached new heights as an incoming Division I athlete, eager to make an impact wherever she’s asked to play.
“They are receiving the absolute best leader freshman coming into the 2026 class,” Dabney said. “She’s going to be loud, she’s going to play big, she’s going to be fun and she’s just a joy to watch and coach.”
