JMU star Odicci Alexander joins Howard softball team as assistant coach

“I am so excited to have Odicci join our Bison family. Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball,” coach Tori Tyson said in a statement. “This a big deal for not just our team, but the entire DMV community, the MEAC and all HBCUs.”

Alexander rose to stardom as the Dukes' star pitcher. At James Madison, Alexander was a three-time All-American and two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. She also was named Softball America Pitcher of the Year as well as CAA Pitcher of the Year in 2021.

Alexander became a household name for her defensive web gem during the 2021 College World Series. She stopped a sac bunt attempt before making a game-saving dive at home plate to get a key out in the Dukes’ 2-1 win against Oklahoma State.

With Alexander, James Madison became the first unseeded team to reach the Women’s College World Series semifinals.

In her five-year career at James Madison, Alexander posted a 81-18 record with a 2.18 ERA. She also had a .337 batting average with 39 home runs — the fourth most in JMU softball history.

Howard is looking to build off its historic season in 2022 in which the Bison won the MEAC tournament and earned a berth into the NCAA tournament.