Monday UNC Wilmington softball head coach Ashley Wade announced the hiring of current Carolina Blaze infielder and former Oklahoma Sooner Alyssa Brito.
“Alyssa Brito is the perfect fit for our program,” said Wade, who enters her fifth season at UNCW in 2027, in a release. “She knows what it takes to compete and win at the highest level, and her experience working alongside some of the game’s top offensive coaches has given her a wealth of knowledge to bring to our student-athletes.
“Just as importantly, Coach Brito has a genuine passion for developing young women and a commitment to investing in their growth, both on and off the field. We’re excited about the immediate impact she will make on our student-athletes and the lasting influence she’ll have on our program.”
Brito, who was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, started 24 games for the Blaze in 2026. She held down shortstop for the Blaze all season, and finished the regular season with a .973 fielding percentage, recording 43 assists, 29 putouts and just 2 errors. Brito also hit .246 with a .790 OPS and knocked three home runs with eight RBIs.
Brito spent time with the Oklahoma City Spark before they joined the AUSL. The former Sooner is a three-time national champion and is also in the USA Softball Women’s National Team pool. In the recent USA Softball International Cup, where the U.S. Women’s National Team took gold, Brito hit .444 with an OPS of 1.278, adding a home run and three RBIs in five games.
“I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity and excited to be able to work day in and day out with these athletes,” said Brito in the program’s release. “It’s a privilege to be a part of their journeys and to work alongside a great staff. Wilmington is awesome. The campus and the community around it were everything.”
