In Princeton, New Jersey right-handed pitcher Alexis Laudenslager (2019) was terrific in the circle this past weekend for the Princeton Tigers against Ivy League foe Brown University. She was honored with Ivy League Pitcher of the Week for her performance. On Sunday, the 5’10 junior from Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego pitched a gem, throwing a complete game no-hitter and striking out ten while surrendering one walk during a 2-0 victory over the visiting Bears. A two out base-on-balls in the top of the fourth inning was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect day for Laudenslager. The no-hitter topped off a weekend where Alexis didn’t give up a single hit to Brown over eleven total innings pitched, allowing her to earn two wins while striking out 17 Bears.

Firecrackers Softball: Congratulations! A no-hitter on the first weekend of Ivy League play. Can you explain how it felt and if you had any nerves late in the game?

Alexis Laudenslager: Many of my teammates have waited years to play in an Ivy League series so there were certainly a lot of nerves going into the weekend. Fortunately for me, I pitched four innings against Brown on Saturday and was able to get comfortable with the in-game conference pressure as well as picking up some tendencies of the Brown hitters. Going into Sunday I knew that Brown would be invested in the game and try to avenge their previous loss, so I needed to set the tone for my team that we were going to win the game. For most of the game I was extremely focused on throwing my best pitch and having a strong, competitive presence. However, in the last two innings the thought crept into my mind that I was throwing a no-hitter and I was only a few outs away from completing it. Rather than letting it occupy my headspace, I kept reminding myself that whether I give up a hit or not the only thing that truly matters is keeping my team in the lead. That thought helped to ease the nerves until the final out of the game. The count was 2-2 when I started to get excited. I threw a few pitches that were fouled off before I finally got the swing and miss on a drop ball outside. Atter that it was all hugs with my teammates and us celebrating another Ivy League win.

Firecrackers Softball: With the high academic standards at Princeton how difficult is juggling softball with your studies?

Alexis Laudenslager: It can be difficult to balance academics and softball during the season and I am learning how to do so now. After a nine-game trip during spring break I came back to six problem sets due in one week. This is certainly more work than I typically have, and it took a lot of communication with my professors to make sure that I would be able to submit my best academic work while being able to still give it my all-in softball. My major (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) is quite demanding as far as hours I put in each week, and I meet with my instructors on a regular basis to make sure I am learning the material as efficiently as possible. During the season my teammates and I take it one day at a time, with softball being our main break from school. Though my schedule is very busy it is all worth it to be studying what I love and grinding towards winning a championship with my teammates.