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. 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. Alexanders stardom in the sport struck after the 2021 Womens College World Series, where her dominance and defensive skills showcased her true talent. 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 . On Monday, Softball America named Alexander its Pitcher of the Year and USSSA Pride officials announced she has signed a professional contract with the team. WCWS: Odicci Alexander makes incredible diving tag. Alexander signed a contract with the USSSA Pride, an independent softball team. When you ask her about the meaning of her name, an odyssey is a journey. She was the starting pitcher for James Madison University from 2017 to 2021, leading the team to their first-ever Women's College World Series in 2021 and making it to the semi-finals. OKLAHOMA CITY Odicci Alexander winced in pain as a not-as-soft-as-advertised ball bounced off her left foot in the batter's box. After defeating the Morgan State Bears to win the MEAC tournament, the Bison became the first Howard team to score in the NCAA tournament. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. She started all but one of JMUs 10 NCAA tournament games in the circle and posted a 6-3 record. Jameel and Isaiah Maurice, her older brothers, and Imileigh and Kaylin, her younger sisters, were her childhood companions. Finished the season with a record of 3-1 in the circle, pitched 26.2 innings and threw 31 strike outs. She felt alone. 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. Some people cant do that but she knew how to approach me.. Justin McLeod Hired to Be Full-Time Extra Inning Softball National College Editor, The Best of College Softballs Halloween Costumes, Five Players Who Impressed at the Top Tier Exposure Tournament, Marshall officially joins Sun Belt: The softball implications, Loves Travel Stops pledges $9 million toward Oklahoma stadium project, Softball returns to Puerto Vallarta; field announced for 2022 tournament. She also signed to play in Athletes Unlimited Softball second season beginning in August 2021. [7], In a 2020 season that was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexander went 3-1 with 31 strikeouts, and batted .308 with 6 hits and 4 RBIs. Contact us. Johnson was a five-star. Odicci Alexander made a stunning game-saving tag out at home in the seventh inning to send James Madison to the WCWS Semifinals on Friday. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Alexanders gutsy postseason performance created buzz in Oklahoma City and on social media. 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. 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. She died on April 25 and her death was later classified as an apparent suicide by Rockingham County Sheriffs Office. But everyone in this space has to understand that sports run on hype, not guilt, says Haley Rosen, Just Womens Sports Founder and CEO. This year, they added a condensed two-week version that strategically followed right on the heels of the WCWS. [2][3], Alexander grew up in Boydton, Virginia, and was raised by her grandparents. Alexander was a three-time All-American and two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Her older brother, Isiah Maurice, played college basketball for Kansas State from 2016 to 2017. On Monday, Softball America named Alexander its Pitcher of the Year and USSSA Pride officials announced she has signed a professional contract with the team. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As the World Series unfolded, Major League Baseball teams, the Washington Nationals and the Washington Commanders raved on social media about the JMU team. In its place, new opportunities sprouted. One year ago today JMU's amazing run ended in the WCWS. There is meaning in a name, especially to Odicci Alexander. With Alexander leading the way, the Dukes became first unseeded team in NCAA softball history to reach the Womens College World Series semifinals. 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.. 13 Virginia tops Clemson, snaps losing streak and clinches ACC tournament double-bye, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Mike Rhoades after VCU clinched A-10 regular-season title, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards. Softball star Odicci Alexander has officially inked a deal to become an assistant coach of the Howard University softball team for the 2022-2023 season. 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. But the long-term result of Title IX is blossoming into much more than equal access. [6] She finished the season with a 11-5 record, a 2.35 ERA, 6 shutouts, and 83 strikeouts. Odicci Alexander was born in Boydton, Virginia, on April 2, 1998, to parents Washington and Emily Alexander. . On the Pride roster, Alexander joins a pair of fellow former JMU stars in Jailyn Ford and Megan Good. Alexander propelled JMU during. Her brother, Isaiah, was a basketball player at Kansas State. At the plate, Alexander posted a .337 batting averge and 39 home runs in 603 career at-bats. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: America loves a . But things didn't always work out the way she wanted. The softball team will begin working with Alexander this fall, and look to build on last years success and head to new heights. She was named the CAA Pitcher of the Year in 2021 after being named CAA Player of the Year in 2018 . Today, she has tens of thousands of followers on Twitter and TikTok and nearly 100,000 on Instagram, and she takes her newfound influence to heart. Already a member? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 8/15/2022 12:26:00 PM 5 seed Oklahoma State on the first days of the Womens CWS earlier this month. Oddicci Alexander's current age is 23 years old. They were the ultimate battery, leading the Dukes to a 41-4 record and first ever appearance in the Womens College World Series. Bernett was Alexanders catcher during their historic 2021 run. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. Alexander was born on 2 April 1998 in Boydton, Virginia, and is 23 years old. There are many avenues to clinching a regular-season title. She threw every inning of the Super Regionals and during the Dukes semifinal run in the WCWS, and earned Womens College World Series All-Tournament Team honors for her efforts. Her play was among the main reasons ESPN garnered record ratings for the event. Odicci Alexander was born on April 2, 1998, in Boydton, Virginia, to parents Washington and Emily Alexander. Personal: Majored in sport and recreation management at James Madison has two older brothers and two younger sisters brother, Isaiah, played basketball at Kansas State also played on varsity basketball and volleyball teams in high school named as an assistant softball coach at Howard University on Aug. 15, 2022 . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. For the 2021 season, Alexander went 18-3 overall while posting a 1.71 ERA to go along with 204 strikeouts. James Madison's Odicci Alexander set a school record with 19 strikeouts over 10 innings in its regional win over Liberty. Now, the former James Madison (JMU) standout is joining the Howard University coaching staff. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. [14] On May 12, Alexander set a CAA tournament record for single-game strikeouts, recording 16 of them in a no-hitter against Delaware. She has two older brothers, Jameel and Isaiah Maurice, and two younger sisters, Imileigh and Kaylin. Thank you for following me. An emotional postgame interview from your 2022 #WCWS MVP Anything is possible if you work hard. She was the Colonial Athletic Association pitcher of the year and finished the 2021 season with a 1.71 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 143 2/3 innings. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. She is a former Southside District pitcher of the year award winner and was an all-district and all-conference performer in volleyball. [1] Softball Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals, the Washington Commanders and USA Softball legends Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman all tweeted about the JMU squad during the tournament. At 23 years old, the 5-foot-7 Alexander stands as a . Need help? Alexander was drafted by the USSSA Pride in 2021, and now plays for Athletes Unlimited. Alexander was the 2021 Women's College World Series "Cinderella story" and . She just knows and she was that person who could always make me laugh in those moments, you know? Alexander currently plays for Athletes Unlimted after being drafted by the USSSA Pride in 2021. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Howard Hires New Softball Assistant Coach Odicci Alexander, Howard Swim and Dive Team Wins First Swim Championship in 34, Howard Swim & Dive Team Becomes the First All-Black Swim Team, The CIAA Mens and Womens Basketball Tournament is Back, Bethune-Cookman Hires Raymond Woodie Jr. As Head Football Coach, BSU Student Justina Miles Goes Viral For ASL of Rihannas Super, TSU Aristocrat of Bands Makes History With Grammy Win, Honorary Norfolk Grad Missy Elliot Makes Rock & Roll Hall of, Texas Southern Alum Michael Strahan Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, HBCUs & Their Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Alabama A&M Partners with SAIC for $100K STEM Scholarship Fund, HBCU Alumna Megan Thee Stallion Keeps It Raw In Latest Album Traumazine, Howard Swim and Dive Team Wins First Swim Championship in 34 years, White Student Sues Howard University For Alleged Racial Discrimination, Howard Names Phylicia Rashad Toni Morrison Chair in Arts & Humanities, Fisk Gymnastics Team Becomes First HBCU to Compete at NCAA Level, Langston University Receives Television News Station as a Donation. 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. Gasso's Sooners, softball's Swat Sisters, finally ended James Madison's magical run, beating the unseeded Dukes 7-1 Monday . 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. 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. More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. The NCAAs new NIL legislation allowing student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness while in college didnt go into effect until several weeks after Alexander threw her last pitch. She was named the 2018 CAA Player of the Year as well as First-Team All CAA and First-Team All ECAC. What athletes like Alexander have revealed is, If you promote it and put it on TV, they will come. Terry Holland, who coached the University of Virginia basketball program to a pair of Final Fours and nine NCAA tournaments in 16 seasons, die, When Jimmy Miller learned of Terry Hollands passing Sunday, his mind immediately drifted to a photograph from nearly 40 years ago. I feel like it just means a lot to me because I feel like shes gonna be there with me, Alexander said. A standing O is still deserved a year later pic.twitter.com/oLNlW72OLG. CHARLOTTESVILLE After Saturdays road loss at North Carolina, Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett praised his teams defensive tenacity. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "I am so excited to have Odicci join our Bison family. At the plate, Alexander had a .333 batting average with 49 hits, 36, RBIs, and 7 home runs. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Now, it's clear she belongs on the big stage. Go for the gold. Alexander took the sports world by storm at the Women's College. JMU softball star Odicci Alexander signs pro contract with USSSA Pride. Scored a season high of two runs against Georgia (2/21/20). It does not store any personal data. [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. Gasso was paying homage to Odicci Alexander . [21], Following the 2021 season, Alexander was named an NFCA Second-Team All American, Softball America Pitcher of the Year, D1 Softball Woman of the Year, CAA Pitcher of the Year, and was nominated for an ESPY award. Alexander joins a UNC softball program which is 4-0 this season, its best start since 2012. Odicci Alexander became a national star at this years Womens College World Series, and now shell have the opportunity to play softball professionally. What makes the Justices so elite? 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. She has a real passion for developing pitchers and sharing the game and our bullpen and entire team and staff will benefit greatly from having her in our dugout.. Whether her Diamond League commitment will permit her to return stateside to re-join USSSA Pride or step into the circle for Athletes Unlimited later this season remains to be seen. I know shes looking down at me. I will NEVER forget calling this game on ESPN with a genuine reaction of, this is one of the greatest plays Ive ever seen here.I know me and @kevinnbrown will remember getting to call @2seas__ /JMUs games forever. 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. This year, they will come begin working with Alexander this fall, and is 23 old! 2022 # WCWS MVP Anything is possible if you promote it and it... Way she wanted still deserved a year later pic.twitter.com/oLNlW72OLG.337 batting averge and 39 home runs where her dominance defensive. It & # x27 ; s current age is 23 years old, the to! 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