“This season, my goal is to come back stronger than ever and be the best teammate and leader I can be,” Minco junior slow-pitch standout Lexi Woodruff said. “I want to lead with encouragement, effort, and heart in everything I do, while keeping the energy and fun alive on the field.”
Woodruff, a 5-foot-7 third baseman and first baseman, said what happens inside the Bulldogs’ dugout is as important as anything on the scoreboard. “Our team morale has been amazing,” she said. “We’re bonded for life, and the connection we share goes far beyond the field. We laugh together, push each other, and celebrate every success, big or small. We have been looking forward to this upcoming season for months and we are so ready to get back out on the field together!”
The goals for this season match that unity. “Our goal this season is to make it to state and prove what underdogs are capable of,” she said. “We know the work it takes and we are continuously putting in the effort every single day to get there—on and off the field.”
Gratitude, Woodruff said, is at the heart of Minco softball. “Our biggest strength is our gratitude,” she said. “After everything we’ve been through, we don’t take a single practice or game for granted. We’re just thankful to be here and to still have the opportunity to play softball together again. Every time we step on the field, we’re reminded how blessed we are to do what we love. We share the greatest bond. ‘Stronger Together, United Forever.’”
“Preparing for games starts with perspective,” Woodruff said. “I focus on being thankful for the chance to play, making sure our team is mentally ready, and keeping the energy light and positive. When I step on the field, my mindset is simple: have fun, play hard, and enjoy every moment I have left on the field.”
“When I read a defense, I look at their depth and positioning, but I also trust my instincts and preparation,” she said.
Her favorite memory in a Minco uniform reaches far beyond a box score. “My favorite memory isn’t a single play or win, it’s the bond we built after our team was in a horrible bus accident on the way home from a game last fall,” Woodruff said. “That experience showed me how strong our team really is, and how much love, trust, and loyalty exists between us.”
Her hopes for how she’ll be remembered at Minco match the way she plays. “I want to be remembered as a hard-working teammate, a loyal friend, and a fun, goofy leader who always gave her all and loved the game to the fullest,” Woodruff said.
“After high school, I plan to pursue a career in nursing with the goal of becoming a travel nurse,” Woodruff said. “I am currently enrolled and attend the Health Careers program at CV-Tech. After surviving a serious bus accident with my team, I saw first-hand the impact that nurses and medical professionals can have. Not only helping with physical recovery but also offering comfort, reassurance, and hope during a frightening time. That experience inspired me to work hard, serve others, and make a difference wherever I’m needed; just like the dedication I bring to softball every day.”
