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SAN FRANCISCO - Redshirt sophomore Rachel Garcia was named Pac-12 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the third time in four weeks on Monday after pitching in three of the four victories for the top-ranked Bruins last week.

Garcia went 3-0 with a 0.00 earned run average, striking out 22 in 14 innings. She allowed just nine hits and two unearned runs, while issuing no walks.

In last Tuesday's game at Cal State Fullerton (May 1), she allowed an unearned run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief, striking out eight. Garcia had 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth, and struck out three in the seventh and two apiece in the fourth and sixth.



On Saturday (May 5) at No. 24 California, the redshirt sophomore went the distance in the circle, striking out 12 in seven innings. She allowed one unearned run and four hits, striking out three in the second, two apiece in the first, third, fourth and seventh innings and retiring the side in order in the first, fourth, fifth and seventh frames. Garcia closed out the weekend on Sunday (May 6) by tossing 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief, giving up three hits. In addition to her pitching plaudits, she also went 6-for-14 (.429) at the plate with four RBI in the four victories.

Garcia picked up her sixth career Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week award, also earning the honors this April 16 and 23 and last Feb. 21, April 11 and April 25. The Bruins have earned 12 conference weekly honors this season. Garcia was the Pac-12 Player of the Week on April 16, redshirt freshman Aaliyah Jordan is a six-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 13, April 2, April 23 and April 30) and one-time Pac-12 Player of the Week (April 23) and freshman Briana Perez was Pac-12 FOW on Feb. 13.

Garcia, a Top 25 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, is 19-1 on the season with a 1.01 earned run average and 197 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings. She has not allowed an earned run in 41 2/3 consecutive innings. At the plate, she is hitting .379 with nine home runs and 44 runs batted in (second on the team in homers and RBI).

The Bruins begin their final regular-season series on Thursday at Easton Stadium when they host #9 Arizona State at 7 p.m. The game will air on Pac-12 Networks.