James Madison's Odicci Alexander named Pitcher of the Year, signs with USSSA Pride

Christian Ortega, USA TODAY
·1 min read
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After capturing the Women's College World Series spotlight, James Madison University's Odicci Alexander is basking in additional recognition.

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.

Alexander propelled JMU during the Dukes' first WCWS appearance. She started all four games her team played and threw 434 pitches. She also struck out 19 batters in an NCAA regional win over Liberty. During the entire NCAA tournament run, she amassed 66 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.

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.

Alexander was also named to WCWS All-Tournament Team and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Team. It was her third straight year being named an All-American.

James Madison starting pitcher Odicci Alexander (3) prepares to delivers a pitch to Oklahoma during an NCAA Women's College World Series.
James Madison starting pitcher Odicci Alexander (3) prepares to delivers a pitch to Oklahoma during an NCAA Women's College World Series.

“Her passion for the sport and her love of the game were evident every inning of every game at the WCWS, as we saw firsthand in Oklahoma,” Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis Sr. said in a release.

She’s the third JMU player to be drafted by USSSA Pride, joining fellow pitchers Jailyn Ford and Megan Good.

The USSSA Pride are an independent professional softball team based in Viera, Florida. They've won five National Pro Fastpitch Cowles Cups and seven NPF regular season championships.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Odicci Alexander named Pitcher of the Year, signs with USSSA Pride