Cooperative Living November/December 2021 - 16

Eye On the Ball
(continued from page 13)
" Themeaning behindmy name
holds a huge value inmy life
and serves as a reminder that
every apect of my journey has
ledme to where I am today. "
popularity in general, and that
opportunities are opening up for
girls of all colors. "
Now a member of the USSSA Pride,
a professional softball team that is part
of the Women's Professional Fastpitch
League, and also playing with the
Athlete's Unlimited Softball League,
Alexander says her life truly has been
an " odyssey. "
Topps
opps produced an on-demand card
produced an on-demand card
of Alexander.
demeanor, natural athleticism and
humble attitude ... "
So it was only natural for her to
headline the South Hill parade she
once watched as a child.
" The Mecklenburg County
Chamber of Commerce asked her,
and Odicci graciously accepted, "
says Brankley.
ROLE MODEL
Games come and go. Not so for the
influence Alexander now has on a new
generation of young female athletes
who look up to her, especially young
Black girls.
She talks about young admirers
coming up to her at games, and even
in the supermarket, to ask her for
autographs and to sign jerseys.
" That's very heartwarming to me, "
she remarks. " I see girls wearing my
jersey and I totally understand that. As
the first Black girl to pitch at a World
Series and the only Black girl on the
JMU team for the first two years, there
weren't a lot of role models out there
for me at that level, so I totally get it.
" I'm happy to accommodate my
fans. It also makes me happy to know
that women's softball is growing in
Her work is ongoing. Alexander
is now making appearances at high
schools across Virginia to help fund
their softball teams, such as the
fundraiser Nov. 10 in Northern
Virginia Electric Cooperative territory
at Leesburg's Eustis High School, titled
" A Night Under the Lights with Odicci
Alexander. "
" The meaning behind my name
holds a huge value in my life and
serves as a reminder that every aspect
of my journey has led me to where I
am today, " Alexander says. " I couldn't
have done it without the support of
my loving family. I really can't thank
them enough for everything they
have done for me, and I just thank
God for blessing me with such great
grandparents. " 
ODICCI ALEXANDER'S HONORS
* Softball America NCAA Pitcher of the Year
* Colonial Athletic Association
Pitcher of the Year
* Virginia Sports Information Directors
Pitcher of the Year
* Virginia Sports Information Directors
All-State
* D1 Softball Woman of the Year
* D1 Softball National Player of theWeek
(May 4)
* Women's CollegeWorld Series
All-Tournament Team
* Softball America All-American
Second Team
* National Fastpitch Coaches Association
All-American Second Team
* CAAAll-Tournament Team
What a 2021!
14 | Cooperative Living | November-December 2021
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Cooperative Living November/December 2021

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