Alexander Named a Finalist for Best Female College Athlete ESPY Award

BRISTOL, Conn. --- Odicci Alexander of James Madison softball has been nominated for an Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award in the category Best College Athlete, Women's Sports after her outstanding performance in the circle, as announced by the committee on Wednesday morning.

Alexander is the first JMU softball player to be nominated for an ESPY.

This season the right-handed pitcher was dominate in the circle finishing with a record of 18-3 with a 1.71 ERA. In 143.2 innings, she threw 204 strikeouts and kept teams to a .155 batting average. She recorded 10 double-digit strikeout games during the season along with a perfect game against College of Charleston and a no-hitter against Delaware in the opening round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

At the plate the she record 12 RBI, 13 runs, four doubles and two home runs to finish with a .317 batting average.

During the Dukes' historic NCAA postseason run, Alexander pitched 64.2 innings, threw 66 strikeouts and only allowed 33 runs, 28 being earned. In the opening game of the Knoxville Regional, she threw a program record and career high of 19 strikeouts in JMU's 4-3 10-inning victory over Liberty. She helped JMU keep four top-10 offenses at bay including the 2021 National Champion Oklahoma, who she held to three runs in the opening game of the 2021 WCWS.

This season she has been named Softball America's NCAA Pitcher of the Year, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Second Team All-American, NFCA First Team All-Region, CAA Pitcher of the Year and First Team selection. Alexander earned CAA All-Tournament Team and WCWS All-Tournament Team recognition after her showcasing her dominance in the circle.

Alexander is one of four athletes nominated for the award, joining Paige Bueckers (University of Connecticut Basketball), Madison Lilley (Kentucky Volleyball) and Jaelin Howell (Florida State Soccer). The ESPY Awards presented by Capital One will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC at The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York City.

Voting will close on Friday July 9 at 8 p.m. Cast your votes here.

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