By Gianna McMahon
Alexis Tighe, a name widely known across Section 1 Softball, and feared. Knowing that this starting sophomore would be facing you on the mound would plant a seed of doubt in anyone’s mind. As batters face her, and start to inch away from the plate, they become even less of a match to her swing-and-miss riseball, and make-you-look-stupid changeup. While this all star pitcher destroys the hope of a home run, Alexis happens to lead our team in just that. A powerhouse at the plate, Tighe is dominant on both sides of the diamond. A staple in the starting lineup, you can’t mistake the crack of her bat for anyone else’s. She wears number 1 for a reason.
Alexis started her softball career when most girls did, but took it to a level most girls never could. Tighe has been playing softball since she was 6 years old, taking up 9 years of her life she wouldn’t trade for anything. “I have never enjoyed playing a sport more than softball,” says the tri-athlete. Alexis has played both basketball and field hockey while also competing at a high level in softball. But she knew this sport was for her. “I would always ask my dad to come to the field with me just to practice. That’s when I realized I was committing to the game”.
And boy, has her commitment shown. As a 7th grader, Alexis was pulled up from JV to Varsity to pitch. A tiny 7th grader going up against potentially 18 year olds is something you don’t see often; and you especially don’t see them excel the way Alexis has, and make her own spot. Tighe has a career total of 303 strikeouts in her 3 year varsity career, with an ERA of 1.092. And this now sophomore is just getting started. Her batting average is better than your credit score, with a total of 37 hits last year, with 7 outstanding home runs and 34 RBI’s.
How does one become this great? Alexis Tighe practices 3 times a week, which doesn’t include private pitching and hitting lessons once a week as well. To become a star athlete as herself, she also takes the necessary time to work on her own, independently working on her craft. And while this is neglected by most teenage athletes, Tighe gets ample amount of sleep which prepares her for the practices or games she has ahead of her. On weekdays, she aims for a solid 7 hours of sleep and on weekends catches up a bit more with 8+ hours of sleep. This allows her body to recover, and come out consistently strong at mound and plate appearances.
Spending this much time with one sport could make someone feel lonely, and a bit isolated. But not Alexis, she’s made some of her best friends through this sport. “They make me love the sport,” Tighe says. Softball is a sport of consistent failure. Having supportive teammates on and off the diamond is extremely important, and Alexis has that set for herself. “I’m always smiling on the field with them,” and if you’ve ever played with Alexis, she’s exactly right.
Alexis is planning to take her career furthermore into college, and with the plan she’s been working with, her future looks very bright. She’s learned a lot in the nine years she’s been playing, especially to never give up when things didn’t go her way. This sport taught her this valuable life lesson, which has helped her life immensely outside of the White Plains softball uniform. Alexis is now a sophomore, and has three seasons ahead of her, and incredible things wait for her when spring rolls around. You won’t want to miss her when she’s on the mound.
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