Odicci Alexander Hero Portrait

Odicci Alexander is a former collegiate and professional athlete. Alexander was the starting pitcher at James Madison University for softball from 2017 to 2021. Alexander was crucial in JMU's first appearance in the WCWS and led them all the way to the semi-finals. She started each of her team's four games and threw 434 pitches. She struck out 66 batters in 64 2/3 innings throughout her NCAA tournament run. I admire that Alexander taught herself how to pitch by watching YouTube. Another reason I look up to her is because of her work ethic and her love for the game. I find it interesting that she was an accidental recruit as well. She was found by James Madison coach Mickey Dean when he attended a Virginia high school state championship semifinal looking to watch her opponent's pitcher who was thought highly of. Coach Mickey Dean described Alexander as “the best player on the field. Powerful. Determined” and said “Her team really shouldn’t have been competitive with the team they were going against. But she kept them in the game.” I find this statement inspiration because I can relate to game situations like this where you and your team are the underdogs, and you must take charge doing the best you can. I can relate to Alexander even more since I am the main/starting pitcher for both Saunders and my travel softball team. On both teams I feel a tremendous amount of pressure to pitch just about every single game with my team relying on me to do well. I also relate to Alexander since we both have to pitch through a tremendous amount of pain and soreness in games. Towards the end of the college world series Alexander was taken out of the game since she was in agony. Unfortunately, I must get taken out of games as well since overuse has given me extremely painful tendonitis that is still recurring after physical therapy and listening to the doctor. I strive to do my best just like Alexander pushing through long innings, tiredness, soreness, pressure, and pain, no matter who is watching or who the opponent may be.