Completed Event: Baseball at Georgia Southern on May 2, 2025 , Win , 11, to, 1
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James Madison
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at Georgia Southern
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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
2011 Baseball Roster
Roster
Valadja, Alex
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Jersey Number 13
Alex Valadja
- Year:
- Senior
- Position:
- Pitcher
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-1 / 185
- B/T:
- L/L
- Hometown:
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- High School:
- North Catholic
Bio
Career Highs
Innings: 7.0, 2 times, most recently ODU 3/26/11
Strikeouts: 9, 3 times, most recently ODU 5/28/11
As a senior:
- Recognized with team's Leadership Award
- Set JMU record for starts in a season with 17 and finished second for career pitching starts with 43
- Within the CAA, ranked 14th for innings pitched (84 1/3), seventh for strikeouts (77), ninth for wins (7) and first for starts (17)
- During 30 league games, ranked ninth for strikeouts (47), 12th for wins (4) and first for starts (10)
- JMU Athletic Director Scholar Athlete
- Dean's List Spring 2011
- Set a career high with seven innings pitched and matching career high of nine strikeouts in extra-innings win at VCU
- Allowed just one run on four hits with five strikeouts in another seven-inning performance vs. ODU. Had allowed no runs on just two hits through 6 2/3 innings before Monarchs coupled a pair of hits for only run
- Pitched scoreless first inning as starter and earned win at Maryland in game featuring a new JMU pitcher in each of nine innings
- One run allowed on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings in home finale, tied for second in JMU history with 40th career start
- Made 41st career start and moved into second in JMU history with 15th season start while throwing five shutout innings at Northeastern with three hits and five strikeouts
- CAA All-Tournament honors after limiting ODU to one run on four hits over six innings in title game while matching career high with nine strikeouts
As a junior:
- JMU Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete
- Finished the season with a 9.27 ERA and pitched 56 1/3 innings in 2010
- Pitched one scoreless inning in season debut against N.C. State
- Solid start vs. #1 Virginia with two runs on just four hits in five innings while striking out four
- Earned first win of the season with strong start against Radford, allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in six innings
- Held VMI two three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, left the game with one run scored and two on before Keydets rallied for the win off the bullpen
- 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief with one hit allowed and four strikeouts in W&M finale, allowing JMU to rally for extra-innings win
- 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief in win at Maryland
- Earned the win with six innings in start vs. Delaware allowing four runs on six hits
- 2/3 of a scoreless inning at ECU
- Win at VCU with five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
As a sophomore:
- Started his first game of the season against Kentucky
- Picked up first win of the season on the road versus Stetson by throwing 5 2/3 innings and striking out six
- Struck out seven in 3 2/3 innings against Bryant
- Struck out a season high nine batters over six innings of work in a win against CAA foe Northeastern
- 5 1/3 solid innings at Virginia Tech with five strikeouts, leaving the game with two runs allowed and the bases loaded, with all three scoring
- Pitched five innings while striking out six and only allowing two earned runs off three hits to defeat VMI
- Threw 1 1/3 innings to earn a victory over Longwood in first relief appearance of the season
- One unearned run in an inning of relief in middle game vs. George Mason
- Had a 5.40 ERA in 10 relief appearances spanning 15 innings with the New Bedford Bay Sox in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer.
As a freshman:
- Made his collegiate debut on the mound starting against Radford, where he received the no-decision going 2 2/3 innings while giving up three hits, one run, walking two, and striking out one batter
- Returned from illness for second appearance of the season at George Washington
- Started NU game three, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings
- Showed promise in final outting of the season, starting and limiting South Carolina's potent offense to four runs, three earned, on five hits with four strikeoutsin 5 1/3 innings in NCAA Regional
Before JMU:
- Played for Pat Fabian and the North Catholic Trojans
- Trojans were 05-07 AA Regional Champs
- As a sophomore, three-time All-Section player
- Two-time Athlete of the Week winner
- As a junior, was a Regional All-Star
- As a senior, made Baseball America's Top 300 list
- Made Baseball Factory's Top 20 list
- Named team MVP.
Personal:
- Son of Kathy and Nick Valadja
- Sports and Recreation management Major.
Getting to Know Alex
Why did you choose JMU?
I chose JMU because I felt that I would have the chance to play as a freshman and contribute. JMU was unlike any other school I had been to with a great atmosphere.
What is your major, and why did you choose it?
I chose sports and recreation management because I always want to be involved in sports. My major will hopefully create job opportunities to be able to stay involved in sports.
What are your hobbies outside of baseball?
I am a big movie watcher. I like the food network and cooking. Also the usually hanging out with my team mates and friends.
Do you have a nickname on the team? How did it come about?
Valaj and sucks-hair. Sucks-hair came about because I grew my hair long last season and it falls the same way regardless.
What are your goals for the season and what motivates you to reach them?
I would like to finish in the top of the CAA and move onto the conference tournament.
Do you have any unique talents or skills?
Not really.
If you could hang out with one MLB player for a day who would it be and why?
I would hang out with Tim Lincecum he seems like a pretty cool guy.
If you could be on one reality or game show what would it be?
Jersey shore.
What is your favorite memory of JMU baseball thus far?
Winning the CAA championship and pitching the NCAA regionals.
What team do you want to beat more than any other?
I want to beat UVA.
Where is your favorite place to play other then at JMU?
I liked playing at Stetson.
What is your favorite memory at JMU outside of baseball?
There isn't really one, just good times with friends.
Who on the team is the most fashionable who is the least?
Billy Logan is most, and Evan Scott least.
Pick One.
Fresh Prince of Bell Air or Saved by the Bell? Fresh prince.
Dell or Apple? Dell.
Subway or Quiznos? Quiznos.
Video Games or Golf? Video games.
NFL or NBA? NBA.
World Cup or Olympics? Olympics.
Favorite.
Athlete? Cliff Lee.
MLB Team? Boston Red Sox.
Movie? Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Quote? The serenity prayer.
Restaurant? Claim Jumper.
Song? "This fire burns," Killswitch engage.
Place to eat on campus? E-hall.
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