Odicci Alexander-Bennett is embracing her most private home run.
The Bandits pitcher, who’s known for winning the Athletes Unlimited Softball Championship in 2023, announced she is pregnant with her and husband Hakeem Bennett’s first baby—and how she’s balancing her expanding family with her current softball season.
“I decided to share now as I’m in my second trimester and the moment felt right to share,” Odicci told PopSugar in an August 12 interview. “Now, it’s about embracing the blessing, showing the strength behind the journey, and hopefully inspiring others to trust their own timing.”
Indeed, the 27-year-old shared details about her pregnancy at her own pace. She first announced the news in a July 31 TikTok, which sees her playfully showing off her baby bump while in her team’s locker room.
“Baby Bennett is baking,” the softball champion wrote at the time, “and I can’t wait to see you.”
While she didn’t reveal how far along she was at the time, Odicci was already scoring wins on the playing field. After all, the Bandits started their 2025 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season in early June and ended on July 28, two days before she revealed her pregnancy.
But Odicci isn’t slowing down her swinging skills, as she already started playing in the AUSL’s All Star Cup—a four-series game where 60 softball stars compete for top points—that’s set to end on August 31. And she continues to navigate her busy schedule, she wants to create a safe space for her pregnancy.
“I wanted to protect my peace and the space I needed to continue competing at a high level,” she explained to PopSugar. “There can always be a lot of outside noise and pressure that comes with visibility, but I knew what my body was capable of.”
With that strength in mind, she wanted to prove that she can keep her eye on the prize.
“One big misconception is that pregnancy automatically means you can’t compete at a high level, that you’re fragile or limited,” Odicci continued. “Pregnancy doesn’t erase your strength or skill, it can actually reveal just how powerful and adaptable your body really is.”
