RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
With the 2024 Extra Elite 100 to be updated in mid-August (click HERE for more details), one player who looks to repeat in making the prestigious rankings is Lexi King, a standout pitcher who made the Top 40 in last year’s Elite 100.
Here’s what we wrote about her then:
Lexi is a right-handed pitcher who has an innate feel for pitching on the hitter’s approach. “She has excellent movement and range with every pitch,” believes the Mustangs team General Manager Jon Pierce. “She plays the game with relentless effort and has a very high softball IQ. A true warrior in the circle.” Lexi throws in the mid-60’s with impressive spin and location. In 2021, she threw 88 innings and had a 71.4 percent strike percentage. For her Windermere (Lake Butler, Florida) High team this Spring (2021), Lexi threw 13 games and in 70 innings had a 0.80 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP and a K’s to walk ratio of 7.125.
She’s continuing to work and improve, and Coach Pierce told Extra Inning Softball recently: “Lexi continues to be a very good pitcher who has a lot of college eyes on her.”
How’s it going this summer for the incoming junior?
Extra Inning correspondent Joy Roeder caught up with Lexi recently to see what she’s up to… check out this fun Q&A!
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Name: Alexis “Lexi” King
Hometown/ST: Windermere, Florida
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s) Pitcher
Club Team: Tampa Mustangs Seymour
High School (City/ST): Windermere High School
GPA: 4.9
Top Honors/Accomplishments: National Honor Society, Dean’s List, Laker Award,
Preferred College Major: Health Science
What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
Playing in the Little League World Series Regional Tournament with all of the girls I grew up with.
What would you say are your strengths on the field? (and/or what do the club and/or college coaches say they like about your game?)
Leadership, determination and confidence are my greatest strengths.
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year? Or in general?
My current goals are to increase overall speed as well as command three variations of speed.
Favorite college uniform (and why):
My favorite uniform is the Oregon Ducks Breast Cancer Awareness softball uniform because of what it stands for as well as the color, pink.
Do you have any softball superstitions?
Wearing glittery eye shadow and a red ribbon in my hair is my current superstition.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Live in the moment and have fun.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
On the field: Leader.
Off the field: Happy!
What worries you most about what classmates your age are facing in the future?
Having lived through the pandemic for a large part of our high school experience, I see social development as a challenge facing many of my classmates, especially those not involved in any sports or extracurricular activities.
If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
I would buy a vintage Ford Bronco, a lifetime season ticket to the Atlanta Braves games and invest the rest in stocks!
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: My Cousin, Jessica Shults, former Oklahoma Sooner standout catcher and hitter.
Non-athletically: My sister, Shelby King. She is currently at Columbia University in New York, studying in the Dental program.
What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
Warner Robbins Little League Stadium for the Southeastern Regional Tournament.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
I contracted Mono in the Fall of 2021. During this illness, I developed acute hepatitis as a complication and, when I finally felt better after eight weeks, I was still not able to train or play due to the inflammation of my spleen. In all, I ended up losing 20 pounds. And the hardest part was coming back after 12 weeks and not being at the point I left off. During the comeback, I learned how hard I could push myself and was able to be even stronger.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you (sorry: can’t be a phone as they’re no cell towers nearby!):
My dog, Buddy!
If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
Dansby Swanson from the Atlanta Braves.
Finally, what’s one thing or accomplishment about you that is unusual or unique about you that few know?
I enjoy art, mainly painting and drawing.
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EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s Your Favorite Softball Item (like preferred bat, glove, etc.)?
Wilson A200 Pitching Glove.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
Dansby Swanson Atlanta Braves jersey.
Favorite school subject:
Chemistry.
Best way to unwind is…
Laying out in the sun.
If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go?
Sephora.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Die For You by The Weekend
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Dansby Swanson!
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Best talent off the field?
Wakesurfing.
What drives you to play the game of softball?
The relations we make along the way as well as the life lessons that are part of the game.
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I have learned to embrace myself and be comfortable with who I am.
When you leave the game of softball, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I would like to be remembered as a positive leader and role model. I would like to inspire others to enjoy the game and know that softball is not life, just a great part of it! When I am done playing, I hope to take my knowledge and passion to teach others about the game and all it has to offer.