At ECSU, Michon has found the perfect home
Ex-Montville star a key reason why Warriors are ranked No. 4 in nation
Mansfield — Alexis Michon's competitive spirit comes in handy as a pitcher for the nationally-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University softball team.
Michon simply refuses to give in, especially with players on base.
On Thursday, she faced a challenging situation in the first inning after walking the bases loaded in her team's Little East Conference tournament opener at Clyde Washburne Field.
A former Montville High School standout, Michon kept her composure and attacked the next two batters, ringing up consecutive strikeouts to escape the jam. She combined with senior Morgan Bolduk to post a shutout in a 6-0 victory over fourth-seeded Castleton University. The top-seeded and No. 4 ranked Warriors (35-4) are the two-time defending tournament champions.
"I just shook it off and got ready to go at the next batter," Michon said about her mindset after issuing the walks. "I just have a strong mentality in softball and I don't let the little things get to me because I'm so competitive."
It was Michon's 15th straight win as she improved to 18-1 overall. She allowed two hits in 4.1 innings, striking out 10 and walking a season-high tying three. She's walked only 22 batters in 108 innings this season.
Michon, a transfer from Plymouth State, has flourished at her new college home.
A strong candidate for Little East pitcher of the year honors, Michon ranks first in the conference in wins, strikeouts (152) and opposing batting average (.169). She owns a sparkling 1.10 earned run average in 21 appearances, including 19 starts. She's also batting .288 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and nine RBI.
Michon credits her teammates for her success.
"She's been doing a great job," coach Diana Pepin said. "She's very coachable. She does a nice job mixing her pitches. She can hit. She's got the full game. She's a competitor, for sure, so she wants to be in there in those big moments and she wants to compete."
Michon's competitive spirit is a major reason why Michon came to Eastern after spending one season at Plymouth State, where she earned Little East rookie of the year honors as a freshman.
She made collegiate debut on
March 25, 2021 in a season-opening doubleheader at Eastern. She played shortstop in the first game and pitched the second game, suffering a 7-3 loss.
She came away impressed with the Warriors.
"I just loved how competitive they were and how much of a family they were," Michon said. "Plymouth just didn't really have that atmosphere. And I just really wanted to be on a good college team playing at my level of softball, so that's why I decided to come here."
Michon felt at home right from the start, quickly bonding with her new Eastern teammates including Bolduc, who's also having a terrific season on the mound. She knew some players from travel softball.
"She was very welcomed by our team," Pepin said. "As far as the culture, it's about tradition, resilience, accountability, character and selflessness. And she embodies all of them."
Michon's closest teammate is graduate student Cassie Woods, a Fitch High School graduate and All-American outfielder.
"I love Cassie," Michon said. "She was the first senior that I bonded with. She's like my best friend, my mom, my sister on the team. She knows everything about me. I enjoy playing with her because she's always trying so hard, no matter if it's a game or practice. I look up to her a lot."
Perhaps the toughest adjustment for Michon was getting used to Pepin's coaching style.
Michon admits that she was a bit scared of her head coach at first.
"She definitely pushes me harder than anybody else has," Michon said. "At first, it was kind of difficult but I got used to it and I actually enjoy being pushed now."
Playing for Eastern has helped Michon improve in a number of areas.
She's shaken some bad habits. She's gotten stronger. Her conditioning is better than ever.
"And they've helped my mental health, because there's always somebody there for you," Michon said.
Eastern expects to be playing for a few more weeks.
The Warriors continue their march in the Little East tournament on Friday, facing third-seeded UMass Dartmouth at 11 a.m. A conference champion will be crowned on Saturday. Woods (2 for 2, two runs scored, a walk, two stolen bases) and Brooke Matyasovsky (single, home run, four RBI) were the hitting stars for Eastern in Thursday's win.
Next week, they expect to be named to the NCAA Division III tournament field.
"I'm really excited for the postseason," Michon said. "I feel like when we play better teams, we're so much more eager to do well and to win."