UCLA Softball: Sophomore Slugger "Out Indefinitely"

UCLA Bruins sophomore utility suffered an injury opening weekend and does not have a return timetable.

Sophomore Alexis Ramirez was off to a great start this season. She had five hits in four games, including a double and home run.

An awkward diving play in right field last weekend against Oklahoma State brought her to the ground clutching her knee.

She was helped off the field and did not return.

Cowgirls score first. Wang lifts a 3-2 curve ball to deep right field to score Timm. Tough first inning for the Bruins as right fielder Alexis Ramirez exited the game due to an injury.

OSU leads UCLA, 1-0

— Tara Henry (@notarabledays) February 11, 2024

In an email to All Bruins, a spokesperson for UCLA Athletics shared the following statement.

"She is out indefinitely with the injury you saw occur in right field during the Oklahoma State game."

UCLA would not provide any other details regarding the injury.

Ramirez spent all of her freshman season in a backup role behind two redshirt juniors and appeared in 22 games. She recorded seven hits with two doubles and four RBIs.

Before her injury, she had driven in two runs and scored three.

Ramirez knew she would have a larger role within the program this season after Alyssa Garcia left. Redshirt senior Sharlize Palacios will be out of eligibility after this season, this sets her up to take over behind the plate next year.

In the opening game against Maryland, she filled her new role perfectly. In her third plate appearance, after getting on base twice, Ramirez took a swing and blasted her first-career home run to tie the game in the sixth inning.

LEFTY!!!

Alexis Ramirez hits a game-tying solo homer to center field! The Bruins first homer of 2024! 💥

B6 | UCLA 5, Maryland 5 pic.twitter.com/d9lE6XviT6

— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) February 10, 2024

“She was a diamond in the rough. We’re not surprised. If you saw her bang the ball, she’s really been doing that.”

Kelly Inouye-Perez via The Daily Bruin

The Bruins have played two games without Ramirez at the Shriner Children's Clearwater Invitational. They upset No. 5 Florida State 14-10 and dropped a 7-2 decision to No. 4 Georgia.

She is still tied for third on the team in hits and runs scored and is second on the team in total bases (nine) and home runs.

The Bruins will continue to play without Ramirez next weekend at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.