WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Outfielder Lexi Valone will have a second shot at a perfect senior year, returning to the field after taking a medical redshirt last spring. A knee injury in preseason workouts kept Valone in the dugout in 2016, preventing a standout third season in Black and Gold. But, with a lot of work in the training room and behind the scenes, the Lemont, Illinois, native is poised to end her Boilermaker career on a positive note.
"Valone has a lot of power potential at the plate," head coach Boo De Oliveira said. "She understands the strike zone well and hunts pitches to drive in the gaps. Look to see her score runs for us and be a vocal leader."
In her first two years at Purdue after transferring from Bowling Green State, Valone played in 68 games, starting 29 in left field and four in right field. She scored 14 runs and added six extra base hits to the team's totals, while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Her favorite thing about being an outfielder is that she is the last line of defense. She has to get it done or else runs will definitely score. That confidence and belief in herself likely comes from the two people she looks up to most: her mom and grandpa, whom she calls the strongest people she knows.
The self-proclaimed loud, talkative drama queen is a perfectionist when it comes to softball. She also is full of pride to be able to play the game, saying her favorite thing about playing at Bittinger Stadium is being able to be one of the few people who are able to step on that field and represent Purdue.
Valone has high hopes for this year, maybe stemming from the fact that her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, and favorite player Kyle Schwarber had big years. Whatever the reason, look for big things from this senior in her comeback season.
Fun Facts
Sweet or salty:sweet
Chocolate or vanilla:vanilla
Dogs or cats:Only my cat
Cooking or eating: eating
Vacation: to the quiet country or to the big city: big city
Coolest place I've ever been/or most unique locale: going on cruises
Place I dream of visiting someday: Greece
Person I look up to most & why: my mom and grandpa because they are the strongest people I know and if I could be half the people they are, I would feel incredibly lucky.
Best feeling in the field (defensively): making a diving catch
Best feeling at the plate (offensively): hitting the sweet part of the bat
Favorite thing about my position: I am the last line of defense. I have to get it done or else runs will definitely score.
Three words that describe me: drama queen, loud, talkative
One word to describe my game: perfectionist
Team i am most excited to play in 2017: Hawaii
My most memorable sports moment: playing in Florida when i was a junior in high school with my travel team and it was snowing.
Celebrity crush: Sam Hunt
Celebrity who would play me in a story of my life: Selena Gomez
Person I would like to have dinner with: Sam Hunt
Best non-athletic talent: Doing makeup
My stupid human trick is: overthinking everything
Dream job: working within the Big Ten
Song I have to listen to before a game: Hell and Back by Kid Ink
Favorite thing about playing at Boilermaker Softball Stadium: Being able to be one of the few people who are able to step on that field and represent Purdue.
My favorite place to play in the Big Ten, besides home: IU, because I love the rivalry.
Place I am most excited to play in 2017:ASU, because my brother goes to school there, and, of course, Hawaii.
Person who has impacted my life/made me who I am: my mom
Favorite things
Favorite sweet treat: ice cream
Favorite ice cream flavor: mint chip
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite sports besides softball: baseball
Favorite sports team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite athlete: Kyle Schwarber
Favorite TV shows: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite movie: Peter Pan
Favorite book: Twilight series
Favorite type of pizza: cheese and pepperoni
Favorite actor & actress: Paul Walker and Blake Lively
Favorite food: Mexican food, and deep dish pizza
Favorite place on campus: Mollenkopf and The Union
Favorite city: Chicago
Favorite outdoor activity: hiking and fishing
Favorite animal/furry friend: penguin
Favorite class at Purdue: ASL (American Sign Language)
Favorite Purdue professor: Jim Russel