COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fresh off completing her sophomore season on the softball field, Capital University rising junior and shortstop for the Comets embarked on a 10-day softball trip to Italy with an organization called Beyond Sports.  Kirby was invited to attend the trip and was selected to a roster made up of other collegiate players spanning NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and NJCAA. 

As a sophomore in the 2024 season at Capital, Kirby was a first team All-OAC selection after finishing with a .392 batting average on 38 hits, six doubles, three triples and four home runs. She led the team in RBIs (27) and runs scored (23). 

While in Italy, Kirby's team played three exhibition games against three of the top Italian club teams – Legnano Softball, Softball Bollate, and Pantere Lucca. Each of these teams featured players not only from Italy but multiple European countries. 

Throughout the week, Kirby also got to take in the sights of Italy, spending time in Milan, Lake Como, Tuscany, Florence, Cinque Terre, Lucca and Rome. During her touring experience, Kirby was notably able to visit the Coliseum, the Roman Forums, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.  

When presented with the opportunity to participate in this trip, Kirby said "I chose to take this opportunity because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I wanted to connect with other college players and form relationships with other players from the United States and abroad."

"My favorite moment of the trip from a softball standpoint was being able to form new relationships with other players and getting to share the love I have with the sport with others from not only the U.S. but around Europe," said Kirby. "Aside from softball, my favorite part of the trip was seeing all the different historical sites and hearing about the history behind it all!" 

Capital head softball coach Anna Kirk spoke highly of Kirby's opportunity to play overseas, saying "I couldn't be prouder of her experience playing softball in Italy. Representing Capital University on an international stage, she showcased not only her talent but also the spirit and dedication of our program. Her journey overseas was a testament to her hard work and passion, making us all proud to have her as part of the Capital family."

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," said Kirby when asked about her experience. "I would highly recommend this experience to anyone else who is given the opportunity to travel abroad and compete in the sport they love."