NYU Softball Player Breaks Her Fist On Sexual Assaulter’s Face [WATCH]

A New York University (NYU) softball player defended herself against an attacker while jogging in Chelsea last week, striking the assailant so hard that she fractured her hand.

The incident occurred on September 19 at around 4:30 p.m. on 20th Street near Eighth Avenue, an area where 19-year-old sophomore Alexa Very regularly jogs.

Very, a first baseman on NYU’s softball team and originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, was running her usual route when a man suddenly grabbed her chest.

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Describing the terrifying moment, Very told The New York Post, “As I was crossing the street, I noticed him reach out for me, and he grabbed my chest and didn’t let go. My fight or flight kicked in.”

Rather than flee, Very fought back.

She punched the man twice in the jaw, knocking him to the ground, allowing her to escape. ”

All I could think at that moment was that I needed to do anything to stop it from going further. I needed to protect myself,” she said. “I don’t think he was expecting me to punch him.”

@alexa.very psa: its ok to stand up for yourself! (sry if i didnt tell u ab this but i cannot relive it more than i already have!) stay safe! #nyc #nyu ♬ original sound – alexa.very

At the time of the attack, Very was listening to music on her AirPods, with Toby Keith’s “Should Have Been a Cowboy” playing in her ears, which drowned out any potential comments from the man.

It wasn’t until after the incident that she realized she had injured her hand in the process.

The adrenaline from the altercation temporarily masked the pain, but soon after, Very noticed her right hand was throbbing and bleeding.

She immediately called her father for advice. “I called my dad to ask if I did the right thing, because I can’t hold a bat now,” she said, referring to her role as a softball player.

Her father reassured her that she had made the right decision, telling her, “It was the best reason to not be able to hold the bat or throw a softball for a while.”

After the incident, an NYU trainer treated her injured hand and referred her to urgent care, where doctors discovered two bone bruises and a hairline fracture.

@alexa.very part 1 of adventures to help me get comfortable in nyc again #nyc #mets #baseball #nyu #coping #adventure ♬ original sound – alexa.very

Her hand is now in a splint, which temporarily sidelines her from softball activities.

Despite successfully defending herself, Very said she has been struggling emotionally since the assault. “I find that I’m much more paranoid after what happened,” she shared, adding that she has had trouble sleeping and is more easily startled.

On Wednesday, she experienced a panic attack when a man walked toward her on the sidewalk, causing her to miss classes for the rest of the day.

Very has been sharing her story and recovery process on TikTok, where her videos have garnered support.

@alexa.very healing is never linear, I’m just trying to take it as it comes (srsly lmk abt concealer recs) #nyc #makeup #attack #healing #nyu #sleep ♬ original sound – alexa.very

One commenter wrote, “Holy wow. I am so glad you’re safe and a certified badass,” a sentiment echoed by many others. Her posts have received more than 3,000 “likes.” Very explained that sharing her experience is part of her way of raising awareness. “I never thought something like this would happen to me, but I was wrong. So if I can help one person be more aware that this could happen to them—and that it’s okay to fight back and protect yourself—then it would have been worth it,” she said.

Very reported the assault to the NYPD, and detectives from the Special Victims Unit have been investigating the case. As of Friday, no arrests have been made. The NYPD confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with a spokesperson stating, “The department takes sexual assault and rape cases extremely seriously.”

Very remains hopeful that the assailant will be caught.

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