All-ACCAC Outfielder Alexa Key Headed to Gardner-Webb University
PHOENIX ---
Alexa Key, an All-ACCAC Second Team honoree in the recently competed 2021 season, will continue her intercollegiate softball career at NCAA Division I Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C. The Cougars' everyday centerfielder in 2021, Key finished the season with a .493 batting average, 58 runs, 22 hits, six doubles, four triples, 23 RBIs, 13 walks and a conference-best 38 stolen bases to earn Second Team honors from the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.
The Bulldogs compete in the Big South Conference, and former Arizona State University standout Bailey Wigness was named the program's head coach on May 28, 2021.
Key started 39 games in 2021 and finished among the league's top 10 in batting average, triples, runs scored and hits. She finished 20th in stolen bases among all Division II student-athletes and had 11 games with multiple stolen bases.
Key, the leadoff hitter all season, spurred a prolific Cougar offense and had a season-high three hits in 11 games. She also scored a season-high four runs four times, scored multiple runs in 15 games, had 23 multi-hit games and finished with five multi-RBI games.
"I have an extra special place in my heart for Alexa. She has been with me since my first year at South Mountain CC and has proven her loyalty to our program through her hard work on the field," said Matta. "She had to switch positions from middle infield to the outfield to get playing time on our team, and while I am positive there were days when she did not like us, she powered through and became a centerfielder we could trust in every inning of every game. Her offense made her a threat at the plate and her speed was equally scary on the bases.
She also appeared in 22 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, where she batted .222 with six runs, five stolen bases and four walks. Key preped at Casa Grande High School and joins teammate Mia Stankiewicz (CSUN) as the program's first two NCAA Division I transfers under Matta.
"What most excites me is that Alexa will get to be coached by another former ASU Softball alumna, Coach Wigness," Matta added. "She and I coach very similarly and Lex will thrive in that setting. Alexa reminds me of Bailey when it comes to style of play, so it will be fun to watch how they benefit from each other as player and coach."