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. I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity, and to be a part of this Howard community with Coach Tyson. Alexander led the teams pitching staff during a regular season run that included just one loss, before embarking on a postseason run that made history. 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. Within days of arriving back to campus in her home state of Virginia, Alexander began capitalizing on the massive following her performance generated. A standing O is still deserved a year later pic.twitter.com/oLNlW72OLG. 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.. [6] She finished the season with a 11-5 record, a 2.35 ERA, 6 shutouts, and 83 strikeouts. What makes the Justices so elite? 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. 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. She signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride pro . Its one of the fastest-growing sports in the NCAA, yet there are still minimal opportunities for softballs best athletes to earn a decent living playing professionally. Please subscribe to keep reading. [26], "JMU Softball gets exuberant welcome home after making history", "James Madison's Odicci Alexander named Pitcher of the Year, signs with USSSA Pride", "JMU's Odicci Alexander nominated for an ESPY", "Five things to know about James Madison's star pitcher Odicci Alexander", "James Madison's Odicci Alexander Right Where She Belongs", "Odicci Alexander joins JMU softball's talented pitching staff", "Good Selected Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year", "JMU's Alexander Named CAA Softball Player of the Year", "JMU's Alexander Named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week", "Dukes Capture Fifth CAA Title in Record-Breaking Fashion", "Dukes' Season Ends in L.A. Super Regional", "JMU 'in awe' after advancing to Women's College World Series", "Alexander Named D1 Softball Player of the Week", "Alexander Throws a No-Hitter and Sets Tournament Record with 16 Strikeouts as JMU Defeats Delaware", "Dukes Win Ten-Inning Thriller over Flames", "OKC BOUND! houston social media influencer Former James Madison softball star Odicci Alexander is joining the Howard University staff. Tori Tyson, the head coach of the softball program says she is excited to welcome Alexander to the Bison family. 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. Softball has given me so much, and it is a dream come true to compete on the same field with so many other talented athletes that I have idolized for years.. James Madison coach Loren LaPorte held back tears as she walked out to the middle of the field to make the pitching change. Just wow," Gasso said later. The Virginia native started her collegiate softball career at James Madison University (JMU). Alexander joins Athletes Unlimited after signing a professional contract with the USSSA Pride last week. This a big deal for not just our team, but the entire DMV community, the MEAC and all HBCUs.. Odicci Alexander went from striking out her great uncle as a 9-year-old to pitching on the biggest stage in college softball. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The performance was as impressive as the list of stats and awards suggests, but the significant part of Alexanders story is what she helped reveal about the market that exists for womens sports and its athletes. 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. 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*. Go for the gold. During the entire NCAA tournament run, she amassed 66 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. Odicci Alexander's otherworldly performance will go down as one of the best individual performances in JMU athletics history. 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. The tears started as soon as pitcher Odicci Alexander realized she had no more left to give James Madison, and in that moment, a little part of the college softball world had its hearts broken, too. They were the ultimate battery, leading the Dukes to a 41-4 record and first ever appearance in the Womens College World Series. However, as soon as Alexander walked off that field on June 7 to a standing ovation from a crowd of 12,000-plus, most of whom were Sooners fans, her college career officially ended, and she could sign any deals she pleased. Now, the former James Madison (JMU) standout is joining the Howard University coaching staff. Odicci Alexander has signed a contract to play professional softball for Athletes Unlimited This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. James Madison's Odicci Alexander set a school record with 19 strikeouts over 10 innings in its regional win over Liberty. Jameel and Isaiah Maurice, her older brothers, and Imileigh and Kaylin, her younger sisters, were her childhood companions. Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball, Coach Tori Tyson said. Johnson was a five-star. Already a member? She pitched every single inning for her team at the WCWS until the fifth inning of their final game. I cant wait for our athletes to learn from her, Tyson said. 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. 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. During their time together, Alexander cant remember a single day that Bernett didnt make her smile. I now have a voice and Ive impacted and inspired so many girls that look like me or who dont look like me, or who play the same sport as me, Alexander told Sports Illustrated. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Odicci Alexander's incredible summer will include her debut in the Athletes Unlimited professional softball league on Saturday. Alexander was born on 2 April 1998 in Boydton, Virginia, and is 23 years old. Its not something she can explain but feels. Alexander was striking out her uncles as a 9-year-old. You can be the best athlete, but being a good person makes you an even better athlete. Alexanders superhuman feats on the diamond are balanced by a down-to-earth humility off of it. Overnight Odicci became a household name in the softball world. After upsetting Morgan State to win the MEAC tournament, the 2022 Bison squad became the first Howard team to score in the NCAA tournament. Now, the former James Madison (JMU) standout is joining the Howard University coaching staff. Seeing Bernett and #22 on her jersey hanging in her locker is another step in healing. Former James Madison pitcher and Womens College World Series breakout star Odicci Alexander has signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride, JWOS has confirmed. Carolina is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament after missing out in 2021. When Title IX was passed in 1972, exactly 50 years ago this month, the underlying goal was equal opportunity. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". She just knows and she was that person who could always make me laugh in those moments, you know? Copy it to easily share with friends. We have to remember that sports are entertainment and lean into everything we love about them. [13] She finished 26-6 with 204 strikeouts and a 1.71 ERA, and batted .317 with 26 hits, 13 RBIs, and 2 home runs. [8], In her sophomore year, Alexander went 23-5 with a 1.95 ERA and 193 strikeouts. After not being heavily recruited in high school, she finished her collegiate career on the biggest stage in college softball at the Women's College World Series. 5 seed Oklahoma State. She said it was hard being a continent away, feeling like she couldnt be there for her teammates, coaches, and friends who had the same pain crashing down on them. Shes smiling at me and I honestly just wanna make her proud. 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. Alexander was a difference maker on both sides of the ball for JMU. Odicci Alexander, the energetic pitcher who led James Madisons storybook run to the Womens College World Series semifinals, has signed a contract to play professional softball for Athletes Unlimited. It was by accident that her abilities were finally recognized. She finished the tournament starting all four games that JMU played with 66 strikeouts on 1,057 pitches. Alexander is known for her success as the pitcher of The James Madison Dukes softball team. Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball, Coach Tori Tysonsaid. "What a competitor. It was her third straight year being named an All-American. Alexander received media attention for her defensive web gem that shot her to softball stardomduring the 2021 College World Series. I mean some games I have where Im like, oh its Lauren back there.. . Captured o. Team USA members Ali Aguilar and Kelsey Stewart also have signed. (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. Scroll to continue reading. JMU Beats Mizzou to Reach First Women's College World Series", "James Madison shocks No. Alexander propelled JMU during the Dukes' first WCWS appearance. 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. Odicci Alexander. With 66 strikeouts on 1,057 pitches tournament starting all four games that JMU played 66... The ball for JMU excited and grateful for this opportunity, and Imileigh and Kaylin, her brothers. 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