It has been decided, UCLA softball’s dual-threat Rachel Garcia is the USA Softball Player of the Year, but she is not done yet!
Rachel. Garcia. Commit the name to memory. She is your USA Softball Player of the Year as she has helped lead the UCLA softball team to a 56-5 record, a #1 regular season ranking and a return to the Women’s College World Series.
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This should not be a surprise as it comes a week after she was named the ESPNW Softball Player of the Year. Garcia has been everything for the Bruins. She is a slugger. She is a pitching ace. She is an inspiration… and she is a redshirt sophomore which means UCLA has for at least two more years.
YOUR 2018 @USASoftball COLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR ... RACHEL GARCIA!!!! pic.twitter.com/zB2RSOBBWS
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) May 30, 2018
Garcia was stellar when she had a bat in her hand. On the season she had a batting average of .357, which was aided by 77 hits, 53 RBIs and 11 homeruns (stats are through this past weekend). But if you think that is good, her pitching stats are even better.
When it comes to ERA, she is 7th best in the nation with a 1.02 mark, which has led to an astounding 27-3 record.
This past weekend she continued her barrage when the Bruins did battle against #14 Arizona as her #3 Bruins took out the Wildcats in two games. When batting, Garcia had two runs, two hits, two RBIs and a homerun. In the circle, she threw 18 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched in both wins.
Along with the rest of the Bruins, Garcia will lead UCLA into the double-elimination portion of the Women’s College World Series starting on Thursday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. PT. Go Garcia and Go Bruins!