By Kaylene Chadwell
Melissa Ramirez made a memorable impact on Chattanooga athletics during her four years as a strong component of the softball program.
“I enjoyed playing softball in general since I was four, so being able to continue it through high school and travel ball and then going to college to do it,” Ramirez said. “Words are hard to explain. I had a blast, wish I could do it again.”
She holds spots in UTC's record book for stats that have remained unbreakable for 10 years. Ramirez recorded an impressive 286 career hits, 63 career doubles and a 15-game hitting streak in 2003.
During her tenure at Chattanooga, Ramirez helped the Mocs claim two regular season crowns, three Southern Conference Tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ramirez explained what it takes to make a great team, “When you get in a slump, you always have great people to surround you. (Frank Reed and Donald Pickett) always pushed us forward and made it about us staying positive. And you get the ball rolling on that, you get a bunch of girls who are ready to go and you've got a winning team.”
Additionally, she racked up individual awards throughout each of her four years. She was a two-time SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player, a three-time SoCon All-Tournament selection and a two-time SoCon Player of the Week. She was also awarded SoCon Player of the Year in her junior season.
Ramirez recorded 25 career homeruns, which ranks third all-time for UTC softball, and drove in 177 runs, which ranks second.
She explained a game that still standouts to her today, “Playing against Ohio State and hitting a homerun to win the game. I'm not really good at keeping tabs, but I do remember that night.”
She began her career at Chattanooga as a freshman in 2002. During her debut season, Ramirez was nationally ranked in hitting, finishing the season with a .396 average. She topped the league in batting average, hits, runs scored and on-base percentage.
That year she led UTC's squad with seven stolen bases. She also had a team-best 10-game hitting streak, in addition to a nine-game hitting streak and a six-game hitting streak.
In her sophomore season, Ramirez was ranked first in the league for hits (76), home runs (12), total bases (131) and doubles (19).
During the 2003 SoCon Tournament, she set a new record for hits (11) and RBIs (11). She also batted 11-for-16 and hit two homeruns and two doubles in the tournament.
Ramirez went 6-for-6 in stolen bases during her second season as a Moc, in addition to being named to the Frost Classic All-Tournament Team.
After her junior season, Ramirez was named NCAA-All-South Region Second Team. She led the team with a .368 batting average, 74 hits with 18 doubles and three homeruns. She also recorded a .502 slugging percentage.
Ramirez remembers not only the times on the field but time spent with her teammates.
“Every year we tried to take a team bonding trip where we would go to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge or something like that and that was very, very cool,” she explained.
Ramirez is one of the individuals to be inducted into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Words can't explain,” she stated. “I'm being honored for something I enjoyed tremendously. It's something I love to do and they're giving me an award for it that's the greatest feeling.”
Each of the five inductees will be honored Friday at 7 p.m. at the Chattanooga County Club and Saturday during the men's basketball game against ETSU.
