Erin Nelson
The biggest stars emerge on the biggest stages, and Alexis Osorio shined brightest when it mattered most for the University of Alabama.
The young ace pitcher from Riverside, Calif., had already earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors when the postseason started, designating her as an emerging prospect. Through the postseason, Osorio caught the attention of the college softball world.
In the NCAA Tournament, she mowed through Washington, allowing three hits over two games in the Tuscaloosa Regional. Against a highly-regarded Oklahoma team in the super-regional round, she pitched three games in two days, twice defeating the Sooners to advance Alabama to the Women's College World Series.