Odicci Alexander took a star turn in 2021, leading James Madison University to its first-ever Women's College World Series appearance, where the Dukes reached the semi-finals. Andrea Adelson. [7][22], On June 13, 2021, Alexander signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride, joining former JMU players Megan Good and Jailyn Ford. Her road has brought her to know that there is more to softball than just playing the sport.. During the 2021 Womens College World Series, Odicci Alexander (pronounced odyssey) exploded onto the national stage when she led unranked James Madison University to the semifinals. Lauren would do 360s for me, Alexander laughs. Another traditional style league, Womens Professional Fastpitch (WPF), is also kicking off this summer made up of the USSSA Pride and a brand-new pro team, the Smash It Sports Vipers of Rochester, N.Y. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. https://t.co/Z6WpOVgGYS. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Odicci Alexander had gone the distance for the Dukes not only in Monday's do-or-die game against OU, which the Sooners eventually won 7-1, but in the Women's College World Series.. Please subscribe to keep reading. Copy it to easily share with friends. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 1 seed Oklahoma and No. Alexander was competing for Toda Chuo Medics Saitama in the Japan Diamond Softball League when she received the crushing news. Alexander propelled JMU during. They became quick friends, sparking a connection through the distinct relationship developed in a pitcher-catcher pair. It was by accident that her abilities were finally recognized. In her debut against Team . Odicci Alexander took the softball world by storm in her final year with James Madison University. I cant wait for our athletes to learn from her, Tyson told Bison Athletics. In addition, Alexander was selected as a third-team NFCA All-American and first team NFCA All-Northeast Region. After capturing the Women's College World Series spotlight, James Madison University'sOdicci Alexander is basking in additional recognition. Alexander took the sports world by storm at the Women's College World Series in June when she pitched upstart James Madison to victories over No. I feel like it just means a lot to me because I feel like shes gonna be there with me, Alexander said. But the public frenzy and massive followings that both Alo and Alexander have garnered also bolster the vision of how rich the future could be for pro softball in the U.S. Press Esc to cancel. Alexanders stardom in the sport struck after the 2021 Womens College World Series, where her dominance and defensive skills showcased her true talent. For 20 years and more we have been trying to guilt people into watching womens sports. After defeating the Morgan State Bears to win the MEAC tournament, the Bison became the first Howard team to score in the NCAA tournament. Alexander was the 2021 Women's College World Series "Cinderella story" and . In addition, she batted .388 with 65 hits, 13 homeruns, and a team-best 47 RBIs. You always have something that you can do., Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2021 / Credit: Kait Devir, Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2023 / Credit: MK Ridgway, Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2020 / Credit: Jade Hewitt, Club Vote: Vote on Game MVPs, Seasonal Awards and more, Weekly Meet & Greets following each draft, Seasonal virtual events, such as multi-player meet & greets with autographs, One (1) UC Gold Box ($200 value) for the sport of your choice*. Former James Madison softball star Odicci Alexander is joining the Howard University staff. Her play was among the main reasons ESPN garnered record ratings for the event. Alexander Oddicci's grandpa is Washington Alexander, and Emily Alexander is her grandmother. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Alexander was named to the Colonial Rivers All-Conference team last season for the second straight year and earned 3A second team All-State honors as a sophomore. Watching Alo leave the field to her own standing ovation and emotional farewell interview with ESPNs Holly Rowe a year after Alexanders similar exit from the college scene serves as a reminder of the limited options for world-class softball athletes beyond the NCAA. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". "There was no way I was leaving (Treveon Graham and Briante Weber)," Smart said as he reflected on his VCU exit during Doug Gottlieb's podcast. [1] Read More James Madison catcher Lauren Bernett (22) and pitcher Odicci Alexander (3) celebrate their 2-1 win over Missouri during a NCAA softball game on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Columbia, Mo. It was her poise, her passion and her heart of the ultimate underdog all of which were distilled into one of the most spectacular plays ever seen at home plate, when she charged a bunt, scooped it mid-stride and laid out into the air, tagging the base runner out by inches to maintain the Dukes 2-1 lead over Oklahoma State and earn her team a spot in the semifinals. Contact us. Im very excited and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to continue my professional softball career and show my passion and love for the game, Alexander said in a statement. She is outstanding. Alexander took the sports world by storm at the Women's College. Each time Alexander took the mound in the Oklahoma City heat that June, she gained thousands of new followers on social media. Alexanders gutsy postseason performance created buzz in Oklahoma City and on social media. Captured o. Softball Since then, she has become one of the most popular players in the sport . People couldnt get enough of her. [10] After shutting out Elon in the final round of the CAA Championship on May 10, Alexander was named the most outstanding player of the tournament. Shes smiling at me and I honestly just wanna make her proud. The Official Home of Howard Bison Athletics, Softball Suffers Setbacks at the Cavalier Classic, Softball Drops Slugfest to St. Johns at the Cavalier Classic, Softball Falls Twice at the Cavalier Classic, Softball Returns to the Diamond for the Cavalier Classic, Maryn Jordan named MEAC Rookie of the Week, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. James Madison coach Loren LaPorte held back tears as she walked out to the middle of the field to make the pitching change. The first 50 years of Title IX were spent building, and in many arenas the mantra needs to be updated. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This will be Athletes Unlimiteds second softball season. Head Coach Tori Tyson is excited about adding Alexander to the team, and is eager to witness what she can bring to the field. Alexander joins the Howard University squad after their historic NCAA tournament appearance. When Alexander enters the circle in her second season as a pro, shell be wearing #22 with the last name Bernett. Odicci Alexander was born in Boydton, Virginia, on April 2, 1998, to parents Washington and Emily Alexander. In its place, new opportunities sprouted. To get where we want to go, weve got to talk about womens sports like the 200-billion-dollar industry its projected to become in the next decade. As Alexander continues her own she emphasizes that while she plays this game, it is about more than a bat and ball. . 1 Oklahoma, she received a standing ovation from the fans in USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. [7][9], During the 2019 season as a junior, Alexander went 24-1 with 178 strikeouts, 8 shutouts, and a career-high 1.70 ERA. The softball team will begin working with Alexander this fall, and look to build on last years success and head to new heights. Former JMU pitcher Odicci Alexander, right, shakes hands with former JMU player and current Rumble Ponies manager Lorenzo Bundy after throwing the first pitch before the Flying Squirrels took on. Athletes Unlimited's Media-Centric Focus Fits AJ Andrews, Recap: Sims, Hull combine for 52 points in 90-84 win, Athletes Unlimited Softball set to return to Rosemont, Illinois for second season in 2021. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Odicci Alexander is known for her success as the pitcher of The James Madison Dukes softball team. WASHINGTON (August 15, 2022) - Odicci Alexander shot to softball stardom with dominant pitching and defensive web gem during the 2021 Women's College World Series. She made us work. Stewart is back for a second year. I mean some games I have where Im like, oh its Lauren back there.. The USSSA Pride, an independent softball team, said Monday that Alexander had signed a contract and would join the team on Tuesday ahead of its summer schedule. Jameel and Isaiah Maurice, her older brothers, and Imileigh and Kaylin, her younger sisters, were her childhood companions. Alexander led the Dukes to their first World Series appearance, and logged the upset of the season when JMU defeated eventual national champion Oklahoma in the tournaments opening game. JMU softball star Odicci Alexander signs pro contract with USSSA Pride Michael Phillips Jun 14, 2021 0 Odicci Alexander became a national star at this year's Women's College World Series, and. She led her team to victory against Oklanhoma State with her game-saving dive which made the top spot on ESPNs SportsCenter Top 10 countdown. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. After upsetting Morgan State to win the MEAC tournament, the 2022 Bison squad became the first Howard team to score in the NCAA tournament. During the week of April 30, she was named USA Softball's Player of the Week for going 5-0 and pitching 14 innings with 15 strikeouts as well as batting .500 for the week. No player was more integral to the team's success than star pitcher Odicci Alexander, who threw 88.6% of the Dukes' innings throughout the tournament. Redshirt senior pitcher Odicci Alexander has been named a finalist for an Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY) in the category of Best College Athlete, Women's Sports. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. At the plate, Alexander had a .333 batting average with 49 hits, 36, RBIs, and 7 home runs. In her final season with JMU, Alexander finished 22nd in the league standings, accumulating 1,300 leaderboard points. Go for the gold. Scroll to continue reading. Odicci Alexander, the energetic pitcher who led James Madison's storybook run to the Women's College World Series semifinals, has signed a contract to play professional softball for Athletes . Odicci Alexander signs to play for Athletes Unlimited AP 0:05 1:00 Odicci Alexander, the energetic pitcher who led James Madison's storybook run to the Women's College World Series. Her brother, Isaiah, was a basketball player at Kansas State. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On Monday, Softball Americanamed Alexander its Pitcher of the Year and USSSA Pride officials announced she has signed a professional contract with the team. She was also strong at the plate, with a career .337 batting average. Journaling has been a longtime habit of Alexanders that helped her throughout the months she was away. She made us better. In the opening game of the Women's College World Series on Thursday, Alexander helped carry the Dukes to a stunning 4-3 upset over top-seeded Oklahoma in eight innings by keeping one of the most. Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball, Coach Tori Tyson said. We have to remember that sports are entertainment and lean into everything we love about them. Former James Madison pitcher and Women's College World Series breakout star Odicci Alexander has signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride, JWOS has confirmed. Blog - Latest News. "I am so excited to have Odicci join our Bison family. Who could be the next head coach at Georgia? The. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She also struck out 19 batters in an NCAA regional win over Liberty. She attended Park View High School, where she earned Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore. houston social media influencer She has a real passion for developing pitchers and sharing the game and our bullpen, so our entire team and staff will benefit greatly from having her in our dugout.. Learn how your comment data is processed. Man died Wednesday. Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is suing Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and Mississippi auditor Shad White for defamation of character. For her achievements, she was named Softball Americas NCAA Pitcher of the Year, D1 Softballs Woman of the Year, and a member of the Womens College World Series All-Tournament team. Be a part of the game, and get the ultimate fan experience. Alexander beams as she tells stories of not her best days with Bernett but the rough ones the practices and bullpens when she didnt know where the ball was going when it released from her hand. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. 1 seed OU in WCWS", "James Madison pitcher Odicci Alexander makes stunning fielding play to beat Oklahoma State", "Best defensive plays from 2021 Women's College World Series", "Odicci Alexander leaves 2021 WCWS as 'baller' and legend", "Odicci Alexander Named D1 Softball's Woman of the Year", "JMU softball's Odicci Alexander signs with USSSA Pride", https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article252252923.html, "Former JMU softball star Oddici Alexander strikes out 8 in professional debut", "USSSA Pride lose late game thriller to Team Canada, 3-2 USSSA Pride", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Odicci_Alexander&oldid=1124917981, This page was last edited on 1 December 2022, at 05:43. There is meaning in a name, especially to Odicci Alexander. The Virginia native started her collegiate softball career at James Madison University (JMU). (June 17, 2021) - Watch 2021 Softball America Pitcher of the Year Odicci Alexander make her professional debut tonight with the USSSA Pride after signing earlier this week. All three former Dukes share the distinction of being pitchers who also hit as part of the regular batting order. Alexander received media attention for her defensive web gem that shot her to softball stardomduring the 2021 College World Series. WCWS: Odicci Alexander makes incredible diving tag. I am extremely thankful for the opportunities this sport has brought me, Alexander said. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. [1] After the 2021 season, Alexander was named Softball America Pitcher of the Year and was also nominated for an ESPY Award for best female college athlete. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. She was named the 2021 CAA Pitcher of the Year. #TheNewBlackView. Odicci Alexander went from striking out her great uncle as a 9-year-old to pitching on the biggest stage in college softball. After playing in Athletes Unlimiteds second season in 2021, Alexander opted to take her skills abroad this summer to Japans Diamond League as a member of Toda Medics. She recounts thinking that Lauren never had a bad day. Because WD and Emily could not travel from Virginia to attend the WCWS, the extended Alexander family in Dallas and Kansas City decided to come in their place. OKLAHOMA CITY Back in her high school days, James Madison's Odicci Alexander wasn't sure she was good enough to play college softball. According to YardBaker, In her five-year career at James Madison, Alexander posted a 81-18 record with a 2.18 ERA. But shell be quick to point out that being a pitcher is not her identity. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Scored a season high of two runs against Georgia (2/21/20). She spray-painted spots on the water well of her grandparents' home and used those spots as targets to train herself. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Alexander was drafted by the USSSA Pride in 2021, and now plays for Athletes Unlimited. 5 seed Oklahoma State on the first days of the Womens CWS earlier this month. Alexander was competing for Toda Chuo Medics Saitama in the Japan Diamond Softball League when she received the crushing news. At 23 years old, the 5-foot-7 Odicci Alexander stands as a giant in her hometown, located in Mecklenburg County, which has a population of roughly 400 people. I cant wait to be on campus with the girls and get to work.. When Alexander exited during the Dukes season-ending loss to eventual national champion No. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. On the Pride roster, Alexander joins a pair of fellow former JMU stars in Jailyn Ford and Megan Good. [25] She had her first win when she started in a 3-2 victory against Team Canada on June 23, pitching the entire game with 8 strikeouts, 4 hits, and 3 walks. After that win, Alexander and James Madison became social media sensations, as coaches, teams and players across all sports sent out tweets and other social media posts, including one from UMBC . She just knows and she was that person who could always make me laugh in those moments, you know? Games will be held at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois, from August 28 to September 27, and players score points toward determining a champion. This year, they added a condensed two-week version that strategically followed right on the heels of the WCWS. Alexander currently plays for Athletes Unlimted after being drafted by the USSSA Pride in 2021. Odicci studied Sport and Recreation Management at JMU. The USSSA Pride now operate as an independent professional team, after several years as part of a professional softball league. Alexander Ferry Road was named after the Alexander family, who had lived in that town for a long time. In her redshirt senior season at JMU, Odicci Alexander led the Dukes on an unprecedented run as they became the first unseeded team in NCAA softball history to reach the WCWS semifinals. .337 batting average the Womens CWS earlier this month she walked out to the use of the! She plays this game, and what she represents is much deeper than softball, coach Tori said... Bison Athletics against Georgia ( 2/21/20 ), with a 2.18 ERA for. Will be stored in your browser only with your consent out 19 batters in NCAA... 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