Elizabeth Berry
Fourth-year infielder Elizabeth Berry has been playing softball for as long as she can remember. Inspired by her mother’s path in the sport, Berry knew she wanted to continue her career at the collegiate level. Although the COVID-19 pandemic made the recruiting process especially challenging, she remained persistent and committed, ultimately finding her home at CWRU—a decision she is still grateful for today.
“I sent probably hundreds of emails to college coaches: before tournaments to share my schedule, during tournaments to send updates, and even after tournaments to give final updates before I would do it all over again the following week,” Berry said. “As soon as I stepped on campus and got to hang out with the team, I knew [CWRU] was home. The team made me feel welcomed, like I belonged. As if I was already their teammate, and I wasn’t even going to Case yet. In the end, that is why I picked Case: the people.”
Over the course of her career, Berry has built an impressive career as a consistent and impactful presence at third base for CWRU. A two-time All-Region and All-UAA selection, she has combined strong offensive production with reliable defense, highlighted by a program-record-tying five-hit game in 2024. Berry has started nearly every game across her career, hitting above .300 each season while contributing timely extra-base hits, stolen bases, and multi-hit performances. In 2025, she earned All-Tournament honors at both the NCAA Cleveland Regional and NFCA Leadoff Classic, finishing the season with a .317 average and a career-best 10 doubles. Known for her steady glove and disciplined approach at the plate, Berry has also earned multiple UAA All-Academic honors, showcasing her excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my teammates, coaches, and my parents,” Berry said. “They’ve been there for me every step of the way. They’ve challenged me, supported me, and pushed me to grow and improve in ways that I couldn’t have done on my own. Being a part of a competitive and supportive environment has made such a huge difference: always pushing me to be the best player, teammate, and person that I can be.”
Off the field, Berry is actively involved in campus life. She is a member of CWRU’s chapter of Theta Tau, the professional engineering fraternity, and the sorority Alpha Chi Omega, where she has served on the executive board for the past two years. In addition, she works as a Peer Advisor for the Case School of Engineering.
“As a Peer Advisor, my job is to work with students when they come into the office with questions, ranging from anything about classes to co-ops and internships,” Berry said. “My experience as a Peer Advisor has also been tremendously rewarding; I’ve enjoyed guiding students while building meaningful relationships with my coworkers. These connections have created a supportive network that has truly enriched my senior year.”
Berry will graduate in May with a degree in materials science and engineering, concentrating in structural materials. She initially entered CWRU intending to pursue a double major in mechanical and aerospace engineering, but ultimately shifted her path after discovering her academic interests and seeking advice from teammates.
“After taking Physics 121 and 122, I started to realize it just wasn’t the right fit for me,” Berry said. “That was tough, because for so long, that had been the plan, and I felt pretty lost trying to figure out what to do next. One of my teammates was a peer advisor at the time, so I went to her to talk through my concerns. From that point on, [materials science and engineering] just clicked, it felt like the right path for me.”
Following graduation, Berry will begin working full-time in mid-July at Precision Castparts Corporation. While she is excited for what lies ahead, she is also saddened to see this chapter of her life come to a close.
“Being a senior is something that I have looked forward to for so long, but now that it is here, I’ve realized how quickly it has all gone by,” Berry said. “I am proud that I have made it to this point, but at the same time, it is hard knowing that this chapter of my life is coming to an end. Softball has been such a big part of my life. I grew up playing it, experienced all of the highs and lows possible that come with it, and met so many amazing people along the way, so yes, the idea of leaving softball behind is emotional. But it’s more about the people, the little moments, and the memories I made with them along the way that I know I will miss the most.”
Tara Fritscher
Fourth-year outfielder Tara Fritscher began playing teeball at just five years old and started travel softball at the age of 11.
Like Berry, Fritscher’s path to CWRU was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a limited recruiting experience, she was drawn to the university’s strong academics and wide range of opportunities—ultimately deciding it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“My main draw to Case was the high academics along with playing for a competitive DIII team,” Fritscher said. “I loved the ThinkBox when I came, the free, quick access to the art museum, the Cleveland Orchestra, basically the easy access to the arts that I didn’t have at home. I also wanted a smaller school that still felt new and like I had a lot to experience, but not so much that I was overwhelmed or couldn’t get to know my professors.”
Over her four years at CWRU, Fritscher has provided valuable depth and versatility for CWRU, contributing in key moments across multiple seasons. Appearing in over 50 games, she has made an impact with her speed on the bases and on base percentage, seen by a high percentage during her early seasons. In 2025, she played in 22 games, scoring nine runs and earning her first collegiate start, while continuing to be a reliable presence off the bench. A multi-time UAA All-Academic honoree, Fritscher has balanced her role on the field with consistent success in the classroom.
Fritscher will graduate in May with a degree in biomedical engineering (BME), with a focus in computing and data analytics. She first discovered her interest in BME as a child after watching the movie Dolphin Tale.
“I loved the process of the scientists building a prosthetic,” Fritscher said. “However, once I got to school I discovered a love for programming and switched my track in BME to be computing-focused.”
Outside of athletics, Fritscher is actively involved across campus. She is a member of Theta Tau, where she has served as Recruitment Chair for the past two and a half years. She is also a member of Alpha Eta Mu Beta, CWRU’s biomedical engineering honor society and serves as a leader for the university’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program.
“BBBS is a nonprofit organization that pairs at-risk youth “Little” with an adult “Big” who acts as a positive influence and empowerment for the child,” Fritscher said. “CWRU’s branch organizes events for the Bigs and Littles to attend together and interact with Case students, since many CWRU students aren’t old enough to be bigs themselves.”
After graduation, Fritscher plans to return home to Chicago to begin working for Publicis Sapient, a digital consulting company. She is grateful for her time at CWRU, especially her class and the close bond they share.
“We’ve been through probably every possible up and down together,” Fritscher said. “We actually started with 6 girls in our class, but now it’s just us 3, and I think that’s made us stronger than ever this year because–not to be cliche–we’ve seen the power of sticking together. With so many underclassmen, and such big shoes to fill from the amazing seniors we had in the past, it’s been a year filled with bonding over how to be the best team leaders we can.”
Devanghi Misra
Fourth-year pitcher Devanghi Misra has quietly developed into a dependable presence in the circle for CWRU, bringing consistency and control to the pitching staff across her four-year career. The fourth-year right-hander from Aldie, Virginia, has steadily expanded her role each season, highlighted by a breakout junior campaign in 2025 when she posted a 2.27 ERA and earned her first collegiate win while not allowing a run in the majority of her appearances.
Misra has shown continued growth in 2026, setting career highs with six innings pitched in multiple outings and an eight-strikeout performance against Denison, signaling increased confidence and command. Across her career, she has combined efficient innings with strong composure, limiting mistakes and contributing reliable relief and spot starts when called upon.
Off the field, Misra, a political science and finance major, has also earned UAA All-Academic honors, reflecting her discipline in the classroom. Whether stepping into high-pressure situations or providing steady innings, she has become a trusted and resilient contributor for the Spartans.