2022-23 BTC Calendar: JMU softball

The underdogs just kept winning. By the time the JMU Softball Team arrived at the 2021 Women’s College World Series semifinals, the world was watching. The Dukes had become the first unseeded program in the tournament’s history to reach that level, not because they were the biggest, strongest, or most highly recruited athletes, according to JMU President Jonathan R. Alger: “They had something else altogether — true grit.” Their grit earned national headlines when pitcher Odicci Alexander (’21) made a game-saving diving tag against Oklahoma State. Alexander, now a professional player with USSSA Pride, called it a dream come true: “My 9-year-old self — I would’ve never thought I would’ve been here... But to people who are watching, I mean, I hope I inspired you to, you know, be yourself and be the best version of yourself.” Head coach Loren LaPorte (inset photo) told Softball America news: “I feel like we have given a lot of people hope.”