There are certain players who, no matter how young they are, just look to be no-brainers when it comes to predicting and projecting future success and in the ongoing race to get talent early, UCLA has picked up one of the most promising prospects in the 2019 class.

Lexi Sosa is a power pitcher and hitter who turned 13 just five months ago (August 14) and yet projects so highly she had 21 offers even at this early age.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Lexi—who goes by the nickname “SOS”—is already 5-foot-9 and throws 64 mph in the circle and is a dangerous hitter at the plate as well.

Last summer she hit .478 with 16 home runs and 104 RBI and in the circle went 42-3 with a 1.4 ERA and 289 K’s. This winter, she’s even doing better: a .575 average with seven homers and 41 RBI already and a 12-1 pitching record with a 0.98 ERA.

She plays for the Firecrackers – Brashear/Thornburg 14U team and, according to her father Joe: “Tony Rico and Sean Brashear have mentored and helped our family during this intense process and has been hands on when it comes to Lexis recruiting and growth. She loves being a Firecracker.   Norm Perez and Melissa Roth have been also involved with her development.”

According to her father, Lexi participated in several combines last year and her recruiting interest blew up. However, it appeared early on that she would be going anywhere but to UCLA.

“During this time (combines),” he explains, “SOS was recruited by other universities but not UCLA. We honestly thought she was going to go to another Pac-12 or SEC school when the whole process began. The process came quick, but UCLA was not even an option at this time and they came into the picture late.

“Lexi’s pitching coach, Jason Iuli, had received a phone call from UCLA coach Kirk Walker asking about another pitcher who pitched on a different organization.  During the conversation Kirk asked Jason if he knew of any 2018-2019 pitchers.  Jason said yes and sent a video of SOS pitching.  The very next week Coach Walker came out to a game to watch SOS pitch and (Head) Coach Kelly (Inouye-Perez) came the following week.”

The athlete’s father feels UCLA is the perfect fit for Lexi.

“UCLA is one of the few schools that lets their pitchers hit and play another defensive position,” Joe Sosa, Jr. continues. “ She wanted to be an everyday player, something other programs seldom or never do.  Academically, it’s one of the best in the nation.   She has visited other locations as well but she felt a connection to the school.  The staff was professional and courteous and you could see her eyes glow.  We attended the UCLA camp along with two other Firecracker teammates.  We attended a basketball game and it was there that she verballed.”

However, there is one important stipulation with the offer, Lexi’s father adds.

“UCLA made it very clear academically she has to maintain her grades and GPA,” he says. “Her freshman transcripts are extremely important and she has to keep a 3.5 average.”

Both player and parent attribute Lexi’s progress to pitching coach Juli, who is a former men’s professional fastpitch hurler.

“Jason taught Lexi how to pitch and in six months shewas pitching in Nationals with a different organization,” Joe stresses. “She shares a special relationship with him; he is family to us now.  Jason has and will remain the only pitching coach she will have.  I’m her hitting coach.”

Closely watching in her training regime, Joe admits it “is a little out of the norm.”

“She pitches on a bullpen style system,” he continues. “If we compete Saturday and Sunday she returns to train on Thursday.  If we do friendlies we go on Wednesdays.  Her pitch count per game is less than 80-100.  She pitches on a four-pitcher rotation with two other girls also being recruited by D-1 Schools.”

“Arm injuries are a concern of ours—we want to keep our girls healthy and avoid burnout.  We are off one complete weekend a month in which time no softball activities are allowed.”

“She’s a 13 year old girl,” he emphasizes. “She needs her time.”