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Breaking News: Mississippi State’s Alex Wilcox Dies of Ovarian Cancer

This is Brentt Eads of Extra Inning Softball… our hearts are heavy tonight as we learned of the passing of Alex Wilcox, a fantastic softball player who I was privileged to cover when she was with the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

She was a special player, when I did my first version of the Top 100 players in the 2017 Class, she was ranked #5 overall.  Later, when I revised the list it was out that she had the ovarian cancer.  She wasn’t up to her full health and I, with hope and fingers crossed that she could beat the illness, kept her in the list—at #60—praying that she could beat the cancer and return to her dynamic level of abilities.

Alex Wilcox and Jenna Olszeski pose after a big win in California at PGF Nationals for the Bolts 99 team.

Here’s what I wrote in October of 2016:

60—Alex Wilcox P… Birmingham Thunderbolts (Mississippi State)

Alex is the player in the Top 100 we are rooting for the most if only because she’s had the most adversity of anyone in the 2017 class. In the first 2017 Top 100 (released in December 2014), she was #5 because she was the top two-way player in the nation with great power in her bat—including 28 home runs in the proceeding summer and fall for the Bolts—and shined as an ace pitcher. Alex has won Alabama state titles in softball and basketball and also plays volleyball. She has shined at PGF Nationals both at the 16U and 14U levels and had over 30 D1 offers before committing to MSU.  Last December she was diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer and has undergone surgeries and chemotherapy to combat and treat the tumor. One coach told us “she should be back to Top 5 five by next summer.” The Alabama senior has a great, positive attitude which should help her return all the way back to her dominating form and everyone in softball is rooting for her.

Obviously and painfully, the cancer never fully went away and today it took the life of not just a franchise-level softball player, but an enormous light of a person.

At the So Cal A’s Invitational, the Birmingham Thunderbolts were wearing a teal colored jersey to remember and honor Alex just as the Bulldogs did this year. 

I hope both teams still play often in those colors so we can continue to remember and pay tribute to her.

Finally, kudos to MSU for starting in February the No One Fights Alone campaign to bring awareness to ovarian cancer.

This wicked disease may have won the battle today, but in Alex’s name and for her legacy, I hope we can see the day that humanity wins the war over cancers of all kinds.

Here’s a nice video feature honoring her when she first learned of the cancer and yet still helped her Brantley High team win a third state title:

*****

Here’s the release issued tonight by Mississippi State Softball on HailState.com; photos of Alex at MSU courtesy of HailState.com also.

BRANTLEY, Ala. – Alex Wilcox, who inspired the softball community with her courageous battle with ovarian cancer, passed away in her hometown of Brantley, Ala., on Monday evening. She was 18.

Alex Wilcox will always be remembered by her smile,” MSU softball head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “The bravest, most courageous young lady I have ever known went through the toughest battle with a smile on her face every day. The grace and beauty that she put forward while suffering this horrific disease was truly remarkable and nothing short of heroic. Our hearts are broken for her family and all of those that loved her so dearly. The Mississippi State softball family will strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart. She will be forever missed.”

“Tonight with heavy hearts we are saddened by the loss of one of our very own in Alex Wilcox,” MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. “Alex always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Her inspirational battle taught us that indeed no one fights alone. We will never forget her presence in the dugout, in the classroom and in the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex, her family, her teammates, her friends and her Mississippi State family.”

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015, Wilcox defied the odds and continued to play softball throughout her treatments and help lead Brantley High School to multiple state championships. Wilcox signed with the Bulldogs in 2016.

Over her freshman campaign, Wilcox continued her fight with cancer while continuing to pursue her dreams of playing collegiate softball. She sparkled during the fall season, displaying her ability at the plate with home run power.

Despite being in the midst of chemotherapy treatments, Wilcox appeared in eight contests with three starts over her freshman season. She recorded three hits in her 15 at bats, including her first collegiate hit against UMass Lowell in March.

Mississippi State softball rallied around Wilcox throughout the 2018 season with its “No One Fights Alone” campaign as the program wore teal uniforms during midweek contests to spread awareness for ovarian cancer and Wilcox’s fight. Wilcox’s constant positivity and determination throughout her battle drew support and praise from legends in the softball community like Olympians Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza.

The campaign sparked fire as teams across the Southeastern Conference and the country rallied around Wilcox by wearing teal and sending messages of love and support. For their selfless efforts to support, all 13 SEC softball programs were awarded the league’s Sportsmanship Award earlier this month.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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