Rachel Garcia
Apr 19, 2019
UCLA pitcher/first base
2018
Recognized as the Honda Sport Award winner for softball, while being named the USA Softball, NFCA and ESPNW National Player of the Year ... also named Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year, NFCA First Team All-American, NFCA First Team All-Region and All-Pac-12 First Team
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Garcia was a four-year pitcher at Highland High School in Palmdale ... was named the 2015 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year ... posted a 26-2 record as a senior with a 0.20 earned run average and 418 strikeouts in 175 innings, adding 20 shutouts, including 10 no-hitters and six perfect games ... she also hit .667 with 20 home runs and 57 runs batted in ... helped the Bulldogs reach the Southern Section Division IV Championship Game ... additional awards as a senior included Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year, Golden League Most Valuable Player, CIF Southern Section Division IV POY, CalHi Sports Medium High Schools POY and USA Today First Team All-American ... was a two-time Gatorade State POY (2013 and 2015) ... named to the 2015 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team, but was unable to play after suffering a left knee injury in the CIF Championship Game ... coached by Daniel Morrow ... was named a MaxPreps First Team All-American and Second Team Student Sports and Full Count Softball All-American as a junior, also earning Daily News All-Area, CalHi Sports First Team All-State, All-Golden League and Antelope Valley Press POY honors ... was 21-3 in 2014 with a 0.36 ERA and 325 strikeouts in 156 innings, while batting .492 with eight homers and 33 RBI ... during her sophomore campaign, she was 22-2 with a 0.50 ERA and 302 strikeouts in 139 innings, hitting .709 with 13 homers and 44 RBI ... played travel ball with Corona Angels under coach Marty Tyson.
PERSONAL
Born Rachel Lauren Garcia in Lancaster, Calif. ... parents are Christine and Joseph Garcia ... is an only child ... chose to attend UCLA because it is close to home, academics and tradition ... favorites include the television show “Vampire Diaries”, actor Johnny Depp, the movie “She’s The Man” and singer J. Cole ... lists the number one reason for competing in softball as her cousins, Shaunna, Rachelle and Kristen, who inspired her to play ... says jet skiing and running are her favorite hobbies ... lists her biggest athletic thrill as receiving the National Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2015 ... history major.
