Aleena GarciaAleena Garcia
Jesus Ramirez

Aleena Garcia

Garcia Named Softball America’s Defender of the Week

Softball

The redshirt freshman shortstop recorded 16 putouts and eight assists over UCLA's four wins.

Redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia on the No. 10 UCLA softball team was named Defender of the Week by media outlet Softball America on Tuesday. Garcia's defensive play helped the Bruins (33-5, 13-2 Big Ten) to four wins over Hawai'i and Indiana.
 
Garcia finished the week with 16 putouts and eight assists for a 1.000 fielding percentage.
 
Garcia's defensive play in Game 2 of the Indiana series was especially outstanding. In the top of fifth, Garcia flew into shallow left field for a diving catch. The next inning, she prevented a runner from reaching scoring position by fielding a high chopper and sprinting to the second base bag for a force out. Earlier in the game, she fielded a ball deep in the 5-6 hole on a backhand and threw to first for the final out.
 
In the series finale on Sunday, April 5, Garcia turned an inning-ending double play by fielding a groundball and taking the force out herself before throwing to first.
 
Garcia and the Bruins return to action this evening for a non-conference contest at Cal State Fullerton at Anderson Family Field scheduled for 6 p.m. (PT). Fans can stream the action on ESPN+.