By Mallory Mattingly
The first-ever professional Athletes Unlimited Softball League just wrapped up, and Bandits pitcher Odicci Alexander-Bennett played the entire season while pregnant.
“I feel good. I feel like I could run through a brick wall. I feel like I’m so much better than people think I am,” she told TODAY.com about playing while pregnant.
Throughout the entire 24-game season, Alexander-Bennett kept her pregnancy private “so she could focus on competing,” only announcing she was expecting “Baby Bennett” after the final.
“Playing while pregnant has shown me a whole new level of strength — physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she told The Gist.
She and husband Hakeem Bennett will welcome their child in early 2026.
“It reminded me that athleticism isn’t just about speed or strength, it’s about adaptability, resilience, and the ability to compete no matter the circumstances,” she added. “This season wasn’t just about wins and losses, it was proof that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined.”
Related: Pregnant Olympic Archer Got Special Nudge From Her Baby Before Surprise Win
Alexander-Bennett had a pretty incredible season, boasting a “4-2 record and 20 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.”
She didn’t want to reveal her pregnancy until after the season for the sake of her “peace” and “mental space.”
“I wanted to keep that calm because I am pregnant and didn’t need the extra noise,” she explained.
However, “Some of my teammates knew, just in case something did happen to me, but thank God, my pregnancy has been super easy, and I can’t complain about it at all.”
Alexander-Bennett did take some precautions during the season to prevent her and the baby from being harmed.
“I’m not going to slide, obviously,” she said. “There was one time my coach was like, ‘Do you want to run?’ I’m looking at her like, ‘Girl, no. Absolutely not.'”
Running was the hardest part for the athlete.
“The pelvic area is shifting. It’s moving. It’s doing different things down there than I’m used to, but I can still move like normal,” she said. “It just feels a little different.”
After the baby is born, Alexander-Bennett plans to return to play just like normal.
“I want to come back to play softball,” she shared with excitement. “I own a softball franchise called 643, so I’ll continue to train the younger generation there and just wait till the baby comes.”
Alexander-Bennett’s story is a beautiful reminder of all the incredible things moms can do.
Read Next: Softball NCAA Championship Winner: ‘The Answer’s Always God’
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +4Share:
– Content: +1