WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sophomore infielder Lexi Huffman’s drive and commitment to Purdue softball can be expressed in her feelings about playing at Bittinger Stadium: “That’s my escape place, my happy place. It’s where I can be the player I’ve been working on and perfecting all year.”
That player saw action in 41 games as a rookie, including 30 starts at first base and one at third. She drove in 17 RBI, including two game winners, and tapped three doubles and three home runs. The Waller, Texas, native also laid down five sacrifices, drew four walks and was hit by a pitch five times. She ranked among the Big Ten’s top 10 in hit by hit (eighth, 4), sac bunts (eighth with 4) and fielding double plays (ninth with 6) during league play.
All told in the field, Huffman registered a .983 fielding percentage, making good on all but three of her chances, and participating in nine double plays.
“Huffy brings a lot of power to our offensive line up,” head coach Boo De Oliveira said. “She can hit the gaps, and also has home run potential. On defense, look to see her compete at both first base and third base. Huffy’s energy and ability to keep everyone calm is a huge bonus for our team.”
Huffman loves the adrenaline rush at third base, because everything is so fast paced. She enjoys making diving catches as well as watching teammates do so. She says the best feeling at the plate is knowing that you did your job successfully and having that feeling of “wow, all the hard work is paying off.”
A self-proclaimed loud, hardworking and determined player with a fearless game, Huffman looks up her brother. She says there isn’t another person that handles things better, is funnier, says it like it is and has the greatest heart all at the same time.
She dreams of visiting Greece and would like to have dinner with Jennifer Lawrence. Based on her preferences, they might be eating rolls at Texas Roadhouse along with filet mignon, her favorite food, and finishing the meal with cookies and cream ice cream or Oreos and milk.
Get to know the player affectionately known as Huffy below.
Fun Facts
Sweet or salty: salty
Chocolate or vanilla: vanilla
Dogs or cats: dogs
Cooking or eating:eating
Vacation: To the quiet country or to the big city: To the quiet country
Coolest place I've ever been/or most unique locale: Estes Park, Colorado
Place I dream of visiting someday:Greece
Person I look up to most & why: My brother, because there is not a person who handles things better, that is funnier, that says it like it is, and has the greatest heart all at the same time.
Best feeling in the field (defensively): Making a dive and catch or watching one of your teammates make a dive and catch
Best Feeling at the plate (offensively):Knowing that you did your job successfully and having that feeling of "wow all the hard work is paying off"
Favorite thing about my position: I love the adrenaline rush at third. Everything is fast paced over there and I am a fast pace kind of girl.
Three words that describe me: Loud, Hardworking, Determined
One word to describe my game:Fearless
Team I am most excited to play in 2017: Kansas. It is my first time playing a former teammates at the collegiate level.
My most memorable sports moment: Hitting two dingers in the same inning in the championship game in Colorado.
Celebrity crush: J.J. Watt
Celebrity who would play me in a story of my life: Ronda Rousey
Person I would like to have dinner with: Jennifer Lawrence
Best non-athletic talent:Singing.
My stupid human trick is: I can eat over 10 rolls at Texas Roadhouse
Dream job: Trainer on the sidelines for the Houston Texans
Song I have to listen to before a game: Bad Reputation by Avril Lavigne
Favorite thing about playing at Boilermaker Softball Stadium (now Bittinger Stadium): That is my escape place. My happy place. It is where I can be the player I have been working and perfecting all year.
My favorite place to play in the Big Ten, besides home: Ohio State
Place I am most excited to play in 2017:Hawaii
Person who has impacted my life/made me who I am:My parents and my brother. No doubt.
Favorite things
Favorite sweet treat: Oreos and Milk
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite sport besides softball: Football.
Favorite sports team: Houston Astros
Favorite Athlete: JJ Watt
Favorite TV Show:Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, Finding Carter
Favorite Movies: Dirty Dancing
Favorite Book: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; North of Beautiful by Justina Chen
Favorite Musical Artist:Halsey
Favorite Type of Pizza: Pepperoni
Favorite Actor & Actress:Zach Galifianakis and Sandra Bullock
Favorite Food: Filet mignon
Favorite place on campus: Where they hold the farmer's market
Favorite city: Chicago
Favorite outdoor activity: Tubing
Favorite animal/furry friend: Dakota, Ronda, Niner, Snickers, and RIP Casi and AJ
Favorite class at Purdue:Stats 113
Favorite Purdue professor:Dr. Bridges