On Wednesday, the news broke that former Akron pitcher Lexie Handley would be transferring to Auburn for the final three seasons of her career. Handley was named the 2017 Mid-American Conference’s Freshman of the Year before redshirting the 2018 season due to an injury. She carries three years of remaining eligibility to the Plains.
Handley sat down with Justin’s World of Softball to discuss her decision to head to Auburn; the rehab process following her injury; what she’s most looking forward to about playing in the SEC; and more.
Justin’s World of Softball: What made you want to head to the Plains to finish your career? What you are most looking forward to about competing in the SEC?
Lexie Handley: I, like most softball players, fell in love with the art of pitching and the game so early and have dreamt of playing on the “Big Stage”. God’s plans for me were different than what teenage me so desperately wanted, but He proved faithful to my aspirations and created the path that I needed more than I wanted. Auburn is a beautiful school, I meshed right away with the coaching staff, and I think Coach Dean is an absolute pitching guru. I’m a worker bee and am SO excited to be pushed past my limits and play for the best and hope to be one eventually if that’s what the Good Lord desires!
JWOS: What was it like going through the injury and the rehab and missing this past season of playing?
Handley: It was heartbreaking at first; especially coming off of a decent freshman year and being the ace and go-to. I lost a little bit of who I thought I was, but as the weeks went on, I think I gained so much mental and emotional strength from watching from the sidelines for the first time in my entire career. The break was definitely a blessing in disguise and something that I needed to break me and eventually rebuild me. As cheesy as it sounds, I am SUCH a stronger person than before. Rehab was grueling at points, but the incredible ATs that worked with me daily fulfilled every one of their promises to get me back to speed and strength.
JWOS: When you decided to look at transferring, when did Auburn enter the picture as a potential destination?
Handley: I knew I wanted to leave Ohio to go south, so I did my research on softball programs, current pitching staffs, and the opportunities for extending my education eventually into the medical field. After being granted my release, I sent it to the schools that I was attracted to and eventually Coach Dean and I got in contact with each other.
JWOS: What are you most looking forward to about playing in the SEC?
Handley: I think i’m most excited to play with and against the best of the best and to strive to join them. I’m also excited about the opportunity to chase the ultimate softball weekend in OKC that I’ve watched unfold on T.V. for so long!
JWOS: Who is your role model, either in or out of softball?
Handley: Loaded question! I’d have to say my mom. She’s faced so many treacherous times throughout her years, and has demonstrated to me the importance of faith and walking with Jesus in this crazy life. Her strength, love for her family, and wit are characteristics that I strive to mirror. Softball wise— Jennie Finch (hence the #27!) stole my heart with her ambition to use the game as a platform to spread The Gospel. I try to model my heart and game after her and I think she is the epitome of what it means to be a Christian athlete.
JWOS: You have mentioned your faith several times. Can you talk about that and why it’s so important to you?
Handley: Faith is my favorite thing to talk about! I’ve been blessed with so many incredible aspects of my life- from my parents to my brothers to my friends and this game- that my sinning self never could deserve. Jesus’ promise of never leaving us alone has been so present in my life. He’s proven to provide in ways that aren’t always clear at the moment, but make sense later. His grace is so attainable, and one of my ultimate passions in my life is trying to be a face of God to others so that they can find a deeper sense of love and worth than what’s offered on this Earth.
Faith is so central to our beings, and I think sometimes people (athletes tend to a lot) claim it as a “feel good”, but it’s supposed to be so much deeper than just a title. Being a Christian is great and all, but actually knowing Jesus is truly what leads to our best experiences, both in this life and beyond.
JWOS: What is your #1 goal during your time at Auburn, either for yourself or your team?
Handley: My goal is to provide whatever dimension that the softball team needs me to in order to chase titles and make the dreaming-little-girl-version of ourselves proud.
