Lexi Winters has High Standards, On and Off the Field
Lexi Winters sets a high bar for herself, on and off the field. Already known as an outstanding defensive catcher, “Winnie” as her teammates call her, had a breakthrough season with the bat last year, hitting a career best .331 with 6 home runs and 53 RBI while earning Second Team All-Region honors. What’s even more impressive is what she does in the classroom as she has always been a straight-A student.
“I never ended any class with a B since forever,” said Winters, who graduated with a psychology degree in December and wants to be a school guidance counselor. She will be working on a master’s in counseling education. “I almost did one time, but I did extra work with a teacher to bump it up to a 90. I never had a B, and I don’t plan on having one either. My parents held me to high expectations to make sure I was always doing the right thing, but I always took a lot of pride in doing that.
“I loved being in school all the time. I used to spend more time with the staff and teachers when I was in high school than I did with other people. My faith is important to me, too. A lot of faith stuff is centered around my family, and a lot of my family stuff is centered around my faith. Before games, I put my phone away. I’ll go sit in the training room because no one else will be in there and then I walk outside on the dirt track and I pray. Then we warm up.”
“It’s a dream come true to be here. I just want everyone to know how grateful I was for everything.”
Winters started her collegiate career at Charlotte and then transferred to South Carolina last year with head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard. It didn’t take her long to adjust to playing in the SEC, and she credits some off the field work with improving her game.
“I talked a lot with the coaches and the mental performance team about not separating the game where it’s me offensively or me defensively,” Winters said. “It’s just me as a player and a competitor, and I bought into that. I worked a lot on the mental side of the game, situational hitting, balls and strikes, and some technical things. On the mental performance side, it was confidence, competitiveness, and buying into that. We talked a lot about keeping it simple because at the end of the day, it’s just a game.”
As a catcher who played in all 61 games last year, she’s just as hard of a worker behind the plate.
“I love receiving,” Winters said. “I love controlling the game. I love working with the pitchers. It’s the best because I’m included on every single play!”
After a memorable 2025 season for her and the team, Winters looks forward to creating a greater legacy in 2026.
“It’s becoming a little more real that this is the last time I’ll be doing all of this,” Winters said. “It’s a dream come true to be here. I just want everyone to know how grateful I was for everything. I didn’t take things for granted. I gave everything my all. I was filled with joy with everything I was doing and always had a smile.
“I truly enjoy talking to the boys and girls who come to the games because my cousins and I used to be those kids. It’s so full-circle. I adore it. I see kids and they come up to me and recognize me and want to take pictures. That’s what I used to do. I’m so grateful for all of it.”
