Alexander, Ford Invited to USA Softball Women's National Team Trials

OKLAHOMA CITY – James Madison alumnae Odicci Alexander and Jailyn Ford have been invited to participate in the 2022 USA Softball Women's National Team (WNT) Selection Trials to be held January 1-6 at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida, USA Softball announced Saturday.

Alexander and Ford are two of JMU's most decorated pitchers in program history, both earning NFCA All-American recognition. Ford was the first JMU player to earn All-American honors in program history, earning the honor three of her four years at JMU. Alexander was the third Duke to be named an All-American, along with teammate Kate Gordon, in 2018, joining Ford and Megan Good on the list of Dukes honored.

Ford had an impressive career at JMU both at bat and on the field. At the plate, Ford ranks fourth in program history in slugging percentage (.642), fourth in base percentage (.455), sixth in runs scored (158) and second in home runs (46). In the circle, she is second in lowest earned run average (1.51), third in lowest opponent batting average (.180), second in strikeouts (815) and second in shutouts (31).

Out of college, Ford was drafted third overall in the 2016 NPF Draft to the Akron Racers. After two years with the Racers, she was acquired by the USSA Pride in 2018, where she is currently in her fourth year. She also plays in the Japan Softball League, where she had the lowest ERA in 2019 and 2020.

The 2021 D1 Softball Woman of the Year, Alexander led the Dukes in many ways during her tenure at JMU. At bat, she ranks eighth in program history in slugging percentage (.592) and fourth in home runs (39). As for her pitching record, she is fourth in lowest opponent batting average (.190), third in strikeouts per game (7.78) and third in shutouts (29).

After her run with the historic JMU Women's College World Series team, Alexander signed with the USSSA Pride.

The 45-player invitee list will be shortened to an 18-player roster for the 2022 USA Softball WNT that will compete at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. The roster will be announced at the end of the selection trials.

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