(AP . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Head Coach Tori Tyson is excited about adding Alexander to the team, and is eager to witness what she can bring to the field. Tori Tyson, the head coach of the softball program says she is excited to welcome Alexander to the Bison family. But shell be quick to point out that being a pitcher is not her identity. Johnson was a five-star. Blog - Latest News. 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. Her 66 WCWS strikeouts were the second most in the tournament. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Thats a large part of why changing the name and number on her jersey this Athletes Unlimited season is how she wanted to honor her late teammate and friend Lauren Bernett. As a kid, she often wondered why her mom gave her such a unique name but shes learned that what lies in the significance of Odicci has immense value to her. #TheNewBlackView. 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. She was born on April 2, 1998, in Boydton, Virginia. Why Movieland says you have to be 17 to attend a movie after 7:30 p.m. Farmville native caught with 42 lbs of cocaine, $862K in drug money gets 17 years, Ashland dairy farm announces Farmview Creamery to help modernize business, Fired RPS employee sues school district, alleges misuse of federal funds, Norment, long among the most powerful in the Capitol, is retiring, Bezos 'ban' may speed up Commanders sale as league meeting looms. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images). I try to instill that in these younger girls: Be true to you, be who you are, be the best person.. She ranks highly on many of JMU's record books, [] The immense popularity of Alexander and her historic WCWS run demonstrate that, 50 years later, the consumer interest and marketability of womens sports and their athletes are just beginning to unlock. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When Title IX was passed in 1972, exactly 50 years ago this month, the underlying goal was equal opportunity. [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. As one of the biggest names in the game, shed be a highly sought-after addition for both leagues. When Alexander exited during the Dukes season-ending loss to eventual national champion No. Alexander was a three-time All-American and two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. People couldnt get enough of her. Her play was among the main reasons ESPN garnered record ratings for the event. The summer Alexander graduated, National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) which had been the main professional softball league in the U.S. since its inception in 2004, albeit with dismal salaries announced it was suspending operations. It does not store any personal data. "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. I cant wait for our athletes to learn from her, Tyson told Bison Athletics. Learn how your comment data is processed. Mechanicsville man charged with 10 child porn counts, Virginia State Superintendent Jillian Balow resigns, Teel: Players and coaches mourn the passing of Virginia's Terry Holland, an icon and mentor, Teel: Rhoades stumps for VCU after title-clinching victory over Saint Louis, Shaka Smart: 'I probably never would have left VCU' if AD Teague had stayed, No. All three former Dukes share the distinction of being pitchers who also hit as part of the regular batting order. [2][3], Alexander grew up in Boydton, Virginia, and was raised by her grandparents. Odicci Alexander's incredible summer will include her debut in the Athletes Unlimited professional softball league on Saturday. Odicci Alexander (born April 2, 1998) is an American professional and former collegiate All-American softball two-way pitcher for the USSSA Pride. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Bernett was Alexanders catcher during their historic 2021 run. odicci alexander contract amountdatabase deadlock causes. Decades later, the fruits of that groundbreaking legislation are personified in athletes like Alexander, whose scholarship would not have existed without it. The mantra, If you build it, they will come, has been touted by many in the womens sports industry, as viewership records are repeatedly broken and athletes like Alexander garner unprecedented fame and attention. 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. She also was named Softball America Pitcher of the . As Alexander continues her own she emphasizes that while she plays this game, it is about more than a bat and ball. The two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year signed with the Vipers shortly after leading Oklahoma to its second consecutive WCWS Championship earlier this month. Alexander was. At the plate, Alexander posted a .337 batting averge and 39 home runs in 603 career at-bats. Isaiah, her brother, was a basketball player at Kanas State. Senior pitcher Odicci Alexander helped lead the James Madison University softball team to an unexpected semifinal run at the Women's College World Series. [20] Alexander ended her college career after JMU was eliminated in the semi-finals after losing twice in rematches against Oklahoma 3-6 and 1-7 respectively. It really opened my eyes at the World Series when I was the only Black girl pitching on that platform.. 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. 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. 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. During their time together, Alexander cant remember a single day that Bernett didnt make her smile. Overnight Odicci became a household name in the softball world. The Virginia native started her collegiate softball career at James Madison University (JMU). She is a former Southside District pitcher of the year award winner and was an all-district and all-conference performer in volleyball. From 2017-2021, Alexander started in 207 of 208 games. Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball, Coach Tori Tyson said. She made us better. Alexander was also named to WCWS All-Tournament Team and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Team. 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On July 3, hundreds of people gathered in Palmer Springs, Va. to show love for the softball superstar Odicci Alexander. Tessa Nichols is a contributing writer at Just Womens Sports. Thank you for following me. [7][22], On June 13, 2021, Alexander signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride, joining former JMU players Megan Good and Jailyn Ford. 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. [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. You always have someone you can talk to. Odicci Alexander's incredible summer will include her debut in the Athletes Unlimited professional softball league on Saturday. Odicci Alexander had a Women's College World Series (WCWS) to remember. [7], Alexander chose to return for her fifth year of eligibility in 2021, and finished off her college career with her most successful season, despite not playing for a month, from March 12 to April 17, due to a hamstring injury. As the World Series unfolded, Major League Baseball teams, the Washington Nationals and the Washington Commanders raved on social media about the JMU team. Alexander was striking out her uncles as a 9-year-old. Four Oklahoma players enter transfer portal, including Brooke Vestal. She had an 18-3 record and a 1.71 ERA with 204 strikeouts in 143 2/3 innings. OKLAHOMA CITY Back in her high school days, James Madison's Odicci Alexander wasn't sure she was good enough to play college softball. WD's brothers, Cliff and Robert, attended . Odicci Alexander went from striking out her great uncle as a 9-year-old to pitching on the biggest stage in college softball. TRENDING NOW:NCAA TRANSFER TRACKER/COLLEGE COACHING TRACKER. 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. Alexander finished the 2021 season with an 18-3 record and a 1.71 ERA. 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 also was named to WCWS All-Tournament Team. [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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Odicci Alexander has signed a contract to play professional softball for Athletes Unlimited For 20 years and more we have been trying to guilt people into watching womens sports. Need help? I am so excited to have Odicci join our Bison family. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. NCAA Footer Navigation Menu [12] Alexander was again named an NFCA Third Team All-American, NFCA First Team All-Northeast, CAA Player of the Year, and ECAC Player of the year. Alexander received media attention for her defensive web gem that shot her to softball stardomduring the 2021 College World Series. https://t.co/Z6WpOVgGYS. 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. Press Esc to cancel. 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.. Courtesy of Amelia Jarecke. Who could be the next head coach at Georgia? She signed a professional contract with the USSSA Pride pro . She also had a .337 batting average with 39 home runs the fourth most in JMU softball history. Alexanders gutsy postseason performance created buzz in Oklahoma City and on social media. Alexander is currently majoring in sport and recreation management. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. One of the biggest reasons for James Madison's. Andrea Adelson. From 2017-2021, Alexander started in 207 of 208 games. Alexander is known for her success as the pitcher of The James Madison Dukes softball team. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. VCU basketball took the most rewarding Tuesday night at the Siegel Center. She fashioned a .337 career batting average, and her career total of 39 home runs stands as fourth most in program history. Alexander didnt know who would be her catcher going into her senior season with JMU. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. . Finished the season with a record of 3-1 in the circle, pitched 26.2 innings and threw 31 strike outs. 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. 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. She is the fourth JMU player to sign a professional contract, the most recent being pitcher Megan Good in 2019. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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