Friday, May 24
Los Angeles, CA
6:00 PM
UCLA
6
vs
1
James Madison
Redshirt junior Rachel Garcia comes home after her third-inning home run.
Photo by: Jazmine Sosa
Garcia Hits and Pitches Bruins to Game One Victory Over JMU
May 24, 2019 | Softball
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LOS ANGELES - Redshirt junior Rachel Garcia proved why she is one of the finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year on Friday night at Easton Stadium, driving in four runs, including three on a homer, while striking out 12 in the circle, as the second-seeded Bruins moved one step closer to a trip to Oklahoma City with a 6-1 victory over James Madison in game one of the Los Angeles Super Regional.
Garcia (24-1) had at least one strikeout in every inning, fanning the side in the fourth and two apiece in the first, third and fifth. She limited James Madison (51-9) to two hits, one run and two walks in her 12th double-figure strikeout game of the season.
At the plate, the Bruins (50-6) had five hits, as Garcia recorded two.
The Dukes struck first in the initial at-bat of the game on a solo home run by Kate Gordon.
The Bruins rallied with two outs in the third, scoring four times. Sophomore Kinsley Washington led off with a double to left, and one out later, moved to third on a wild pitch. Following the second out of the inning, sophomore Briana Perez tapped a ball to first that was bobbled by JMU, allowing Washington to score and even the game. Redshirt sophomore Aaliyah Jordan extended the inning with a walk and Garcia put the Bruins on top with a three-run blast to right-center, her ninth of the season.
In the fourth, UCLA added two more. With one out, Washington walked and freshman Kelli Godin reached on a bunt single, as both moved up a base on a wild pitch. Walks to junior Bubba Nickles and Perez forced in Washington to put the Bruins up 5-1. One out later, Garcia knocked a base hit through the 5-6 hole to bring home Godin to make it 6-1.
Game two of the Los Angeles Super Regional between UCLA and James Madison will tip off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and will be televised on ESPN.
LOS ANGELES - Redshirt junior Rachel Garcia proved why she is one of the finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year on Friday night at Easton Stadium, driving in four runs, including three on a homer, while striking out 12 in the circle, as the second-seeded Bruins moved one step closer to a trip to Oklahoma City with a 6-1 victory over James Madison in game one of the Los Angeles Super Regional.
Garcia (24-1) had at least one strikeout in every inning, fanning the side in the fourth and two apiece in the first, third and fifth. She limited James Madison (51-9) to two hits, one run and two walks in her 12th double-figure strikeout game of the season.
At the plate, the Bruins (50-6) had five hits, as Garcia recorded two.
The Dukes struck first in the initial at-bat of the game on a solo home run by Kate Gordon.
The Bruins rallied with two outs in the third, scoring four times. Sophomore Kinsley Washington led off with a double to left, and one out later, moved to third on a wild pitch. Following the second out of the inning, sophomore Briana Perez tapped a ball to first that was bobbled by JMU, allowing Washington to score and even the game. Redshirt sophomore Aaliyah Jordan extended the inning with a walk and Garcia put the Bruins on top with a three-run blast to right-center, her ninth of the season.
In the fourth, UCLA added two more. With one out, Washington walked and freshman Kelli Godin reached on a bunt single, as both moved up a base on a wild pitch. Walks to junior Bubba Nickles and Perez forced in Washington to put the Bruins up 5-1. One out later, Garcia knocked a base hit through the 5-6 hole to bring home Godin to make it 6-1.
Game two of the Los Angeles Super Regional between UCLA and James Madison will tip off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and will be televised on ESPN.