One of the most recognizable names in college softball is coming to Chapel Hill.

The UNC softball program announced Monday that Odicci Alexander, who led the unseeded James Madison Dukes on a Cinderella run to the 2021 Women’s College World Series semifinals, would be joining the team as a volunteer assistant coach.

Alexander became a household name during the 2021 NCAA softball tournament. After leading the Dukes to a 31-1 regular season record and a CAA conference title, she pitched in every postseason game for JMU, including starting all three games in its Super Regional victory over No. 8 Missouri.

Alexander then started all four games for the Dukes in the Women’s College World Series. These included wins over No. 1 Oklahoma, the eventual national champion, and No. 5 Oklahoma State. James Madison is the only unseeded team in the history of the NCAA softball tournament to win two games in the Women’s College World Series.

After leaving the game in JMU’s eventual semifinal loss to the Sooners, Alexander received a standing ovation from both sets of fans. During the tournament, Alexander pitched 64.2 innings, about 90 percent of JMU’s total innings played, while throwing 1,057 total pitches.

For her accomplishments, Alexander was named Pitcher of the Year by Softball America, Woman of the Year by D1 Softball, a second-team All-American and a member of the NCAA’s All-Tournament Team.

Alexander joins a UNC softball program which is 4-0 this season, its best start since 2012. Carolina is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament after missing out in 2021.

 

Featured image via USA Today Sports/Alonzo Adams

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