From a small Saskatchewan town to the biggest stage in college softball, Emma Frisky’s journey is proof that elite talent can come from anywhere.

Raised far from the traditional hotbeds of the sport, the right-handed pitcher learned early to play for the love of the game—long before college dreams, recruiting pressure, or national exposure entered the picture.

Through relentless travel, family sacrifice, and a fearless compete level, that love evolved into belief, and belief into opportunity.

Over time, Emma would make the U18 Women’s Canadian National Team and be a two-time (2024 and ’25) Canadian National All-Star Pitcher Award winner.

The standout pitcher/hitter had a breakthrough in the summer of 2024 when she competed in both the 16U and 18U levels and had 304 K’s in 178 innings with a 0.55 ERA and hit a sizzling .516 with 17 home runs, 32 walks and just 13 strikeouts in 192 at-bats.

Playing for John Corn’s nationally elite Lady Lightning Gold 18U team, she was ranked No. 25 in the 2026 HOT 100:

In this Line Drive-exclusive Q&A, Emma opens up about her Canadian roots, the realities of recruiting from north of the border, the moment NCAA softball became real, and why Rutgers led by Head Coach Kristen Butler and the Big Ten felt like home.

It’s a story of patience, perspective and, as Emma puts it, always betting on yourself…

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Emma’s Small Town Canadian Background…

Line Drive Media: You grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada which isn’t always seen as a traditional softball hotbed. What did the sport look like for you early on and how did that shape your mindset as a player?
Emma Frisky: I grew up in a small town of about 3,500 people. I started playing softball around age five, and at first it was just something fun to do with my friends. As I got older, the game became more competitive, but I never lost that original love for it. Starting the sport the way I did has always given me something to lean back on. My “why” has never changed—I play because I love softball.

LDM: When you were younger, which sacrifices—time, travel, or missed opportunities—stood out most as you pursued higher-level competition from Canada?
EF: Growing up in a small town meant there were fewer training opportunities nearby. My parents sacrificed a great deal of their time to make sure I had every opportunity possible. Because of that, I spent a lot of time away from home—traveling, on the road, and playing wherever the game took me.

LDM: Was there a specific tournament, performance, or moment when you realized NCAA softball was a realistic goal rather than just a dream?
EF: The summer of my junior year was the first time I competed in front of college coaches. At PGF Nationals that year, it really clicked for me. I was pitching and hitting against older Division I commits, and I realized I could compete at that level. That was the moment my dream stopped feeling distant and became something truly achievable—and exactly where I knew I wanted to be.

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Development & Exposure

LDM: How did playing both locally in Saskatchewan and traveling for higher-level competition help you grow compared to staying in one environment?
EF: Having different levels of competition was really important for my development. Playing in Saskatchewan takes me back to my roots—playing purely for the love of the game alongside my best friends. Traveling to compete showed me what’s truly out there. There are so many talented players, and facing elite competition pushed me, challenged me, and helped me grow as a player.

LDM: As a Canadian athlete, exposure can be tricky. What did you and your family do differently to make sure U.S. programs actually saw you?
EF: I played for 222’s Fastpitch, a Canada-based travel organization that allowed me to compete against U.S. teams during the winter. Facing elite competition year-round helped elevate my game. In the summer of my junior year, I also joined a U.S.-based travel team, Lady Lightning Gold, to ensure I was competing in the most highly recruited events.

LDM: What skill or part of your game do you think made college coaches take you seriously once they started watching?
EF: My compete level of play.

Emma being announced as a member of the U18 Canadian National Team:

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The Recruiting Process

LDM: Can you walk us through your recruiting journey—from first contact with U.S. schools to realizing Rutgers was truly invested in you?
EF: It was an unreal experience. Coming from Canada, I wasn’t entirely sure what the recruiting process would look like. Like most athletes, I found it stressful at times, but it was also incredibly rewarding. The moment I stepped on campus and met the coaches and teammates, I knew it felt like home—it was exactly where I was meant to be.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during recruiting that U.S.-based athletes might not fully understand?
EF: The biggest challenge was the accessibility and cost of travel. My family did everything possible to give me as much exposure as they could during my recruiting summer. Living in Canada meant we were often three flights away from tournaments, which significantly increased both the cost and the time required to travel to the U.S.

LDM: How important was patience during the process, especially coming from outside the U.S. recruiting system?
EF: Patience was extremely important throughout my recruiting process. As I mentioned, it can be stressful for everyone, and it’s easy to get caught up in everything happening around you. I constantly reminded myself that everyone’s journey is different. I also made it a priority to step away each day—whether that meant getting outside, going to the gym, or training—so I could reset and stay focused.

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Choosing Rutgers & the Big Ten

LDM: What specifically stood out about Rutgers—whether it was the coaching staff, program vision, or Big Ten competition—that made it feel like the right fit?
EF: From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Rutgers was where I wanted to be. I fell in love with the program, the coaches, the location—everything about it. It felt like the perfect fit for me both athletically and academically. The Big Ten stood out as the ideal conference, offering elite competition while also providing next-level academics.

LDM: How did Rutgers communicate their plan for your development, and how much did that influence your decision?
EF: Coach Butler clearly explained the role she envisioned for me on the team and was open to me contributing not only as a pitcher, but also earning opportunities on offense. That level of trust and transparency ultimately played a major role in my decision.

LDM: What excites you most about competing in the Big Ten, especially coming from a Canadian softball background?
EF: I am most excited to travel coast to coast while playing elite competition in a Power 4 conference.

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Looking Ahead & Representing Her Roots

LDM: What does it mean to you to represent both Saskatchewan and Canada on a Power Five stage like the Big Ten?
EF: It means the world to me. This is something I’ve worked toward my entire life. Growing up, I looked up to Canadian athletes who paved their way to college softball in the U.S., and I hope to do the same for the next generation. My goal is to inspire younger girls who share the same dream and show them that it’s possible.

LDM: What do you think college coaches and fans in the U.S. are starting to realize about Canadian softball players?
EF: There is elite talent up here in Canada. It is just harder for us to get in front of Division 1 coaches.

LDM: For young Canadian athletes watching your journey, what’s the biggest piece of advice you’d give them about betting on themselves and staying the course?
EF: To always bet on yourself. Dream big and work as hard as you possibly can to make your dreams come true.

— Tyler Johnstone/Line Drive Media Canadian correspondent