[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]East L.A. Sports Scene proudly congratulates UCLA Bruin, #42 Jelly Felix, on remarkably commemorating her hero’s spirit and legacy with a successful swing of her bat as a pinch hitter in the top of the seventh inning against the Arizona Wildcats in the finale of their recent three game weekend series. This historic moment took place on 4/15/18 and will be archived in the UCLA Bruin softball record book. Click to see the PAC-12 Cable Network interview that was conducted with Jelly on this game day. And, please click here to see her at-bat in this game.
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Her base hit carried an emotional message to her teammates, to those fans in attendance, and to the thousands of more fans who were watching on “Live” TV over the PAC-12 Network. The message resounded to that triumphant date of April 15, 1947, when the legendary Bruin himself, #42 Jackie Robinson, broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Felix will be the last UCLA student-athlete in any sport, to ever wear the hallowed and respected number when she finishes her senior season this year.
Back to the moment in the game…Jelly, a 5th year senior red-shirt athlete, from L.A. Lincoln HS, delivered a looping single into center field giving her an RBI which lifted the Bruins score to 9-3 in this critical PAC-12 Conference match-up. The victory moved the Bruins to an overall record of 37-3, and their PAC-12 record to 12-3. For more info on the Bruin’s season, click here.
As we mentioned in our headline, the powerful remembrance of Jackie Robinson need only be seen on the back or front of the jersey worn by Jelly Felix. In essence, she has become the legacy-bearer each and every time she takes the field, whether as a starter, a reserve, a pinch hitter, a pinch runner, or whatever Head Coach, Kelly Inouye-Perez asks her to do—-Jelly gets it done. To season’s date, Jelly has appeared in 14 games with 1 start. Her stats reflect 14 at-bats, 1 single, 1 double, 1 run scored, 2 walks, and 2 RBI.
Last thoughts….All Bruin players, fans, the UCLA Administration, and the entire student body can certainly share in the memorial testament to #42 each and every time Felix appears on their radar screen, which has become more frequent we are very glad to report. Again, when all eyes are on Jackie Robinson’s compelling and symbolic number as the Bruins take the field, the mere reflection on Jelly’s wearing of #42 can easily ignite a dynamic spark of inspiration, coupled with the will to win. Wishing one of our heroes, Jelly Felix, only the Best in all of her life endeavors!! Si se puede!
Photo Credits: UCLA Softball; Erik Sarni, Digital Photographer, East L.A. Sports Scene Productions; Frances Felix, Jelly with quote superimposed; Wikipedia, (2) Photos of Jackie Robinson; & MLB, Commemorative Jackie Robinson Logo
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