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CAMPUS ANGLE
LEXI GIFFORD
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
By Marvin Pave
Globe Correspondent

Lexi Gifford battled right down to the last at-bat of her collegiate softball career at the University of Connecticut.

In a 3-2 loss to Central Florida in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on May 12, the senior captain from Natick belted her fourth homer of the season, a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning.

A former three-sport captain at Natick High, Gifford started all 52 games at shortstop and led UConn regulars with 26 RBIs, 35 runs, 68 total bases, 49 hits and 10 stolen bases and a career-best .316 average, along with tying for the team lead in homers. She was a second-team all-conference selection.

“Lexi was our best all-around athlete,’’ said UConn head coach Jen McIntyre, whose Division 1 squad posted a 19-33 record.

“She got it done on both sides of the ball, had incredible speed, and no matter where I put her in the order, Lexi just took to that role.’’

The 22-year-old kinesiology major started every game as a freshman, junior and senior and set a program record for career assists.

The first freshman female athlete at Natick High to start in three varsity sports, Gifford posted a career .480 average on the diamond, including a dazzling .615 mark her senior year.

A point guard and Natick’s first 1,000-point scorer in girls’ basketball, Gifford helped spark her team to the program’s first South Sectional final in 2012 and was the Bay State Conference girls basketball MVP.

Her father, Sam, was a three-sport athlete at Coginchaug Regional High in Connecticut and played basketball at Union College. Her mother, Beth, is an exercise physiologist and her sister, Zoey, a senior basketball and volleyball captain at Natick High, will attend Endicott College.

Q. You had an unusual college “graduation.’’ What were the circumstances?

A. We were playing in the postseason in Tulsa, Okla. on graduation day. So after the team breakfast, our coaches brought us trash bags that we used as gowns. We had brought our graduation caps with us. Then we were presented with joke diplomas. Mine was in Hacky Science because our team loves to play hackysack. My real diploma was already in the mail.

Q. Your batting average this season was nearly 40 points higher than your career average. How do you account for the improvement?

A. Experience helped and so did a coaching change two seasons ago. Coach Mac (McIntyre) reminded me to stroke right through the ball and also not let a strikeout affect me negatively. I also worked extra hard at the batting cage in our garage at home.

Q. How valuable was your experience as an intern this past semester with the college’s Sports Performance Department?

A. Awesome. I was there a lot as an athlete and I had a chance to see it from another perspective. I worked mainly with the field hockey and rowing teams, overseeing their lifting and conditioning techniques.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. First, a family graduation trip and then I’m looking into playing pro softball overseas next fall. Eventually, I would like to be a personal trainer.

Q. How did you choose your major?

A. Ever since I was little I was playing sports so the exercise science field is a perfect fit for that passion. Sitting at a desk would not agree with my lifestyle.

Q. Playing three sports and on two travel teams, how did you manage your time?

A. There were a lot of late nights doing homework, but the thought of not playing several sports never crossed my mind.

Q. You had opportunities to play two or even three different sports in college. Why did you choose softball?

A. I wanted to be the best I could be at the highest level of college sports and UConn softball turned out to be a great adventure.

Q. What roles have your parents played in your athletic pursuits?

A. My mom coached me in youth soccer and was my personal trainer the past four summers. My dad coached me in youth basketball and softball and traveled to just about every one of my games this season. They also drove me all over the state when I was in high school to play in AAU and travel games.

Q. You played in 206 games at UConn, the eighth-most in program history.; How does that resonate with you?

A. I’m thankful for having the talent and the durability. It was a satisfying feeling putting on the UConn jersey, getting it dirty and leaving the field knowing you did everything possible to win.

Q. Who was your favorite high school teacher?

A. Dan Hinnenkamp, my junior and senior biology teacher and my varsity basketball coach. He knew how to motivate you without berating you and I always wanted to play and study hard to make him proud.

Q. Did you get to any of Zoey’s games this past season?

A. Yes, over Christmas break. We’re extremely close and so competitive that we still fight over who holds the TV remote.

MARVIN PAVE

For full interview, go to bostonglobe.com/west.