Rachel Garcia Shuts Out Stanford as UCLA Takes Opener, 4-0

Today, the Bruins host the Cardinal in a doubleheader.

May 08, 2021

Last night, Rachel Garcia threw a three-hit shutout to lead UCLA past the Stanford Cardinal, 4-0. This afternoon, the teams will play a doubleheader. First pitch for the first game is scheduled for 2 pm PT while the second game is slated to begin at 4:30 pm PT. Both games will air on Pac-12 Networks.

Last Time Out

Coming into last night’s game, Stanford pitcher Alana Vawter had not allowed an earned run in 40 innings. The Bruins broke that streak in the the second inning.

Maya Brady and Anna Vines led off the inning with a pair of singles, but Vines was thrown out at second trying to stretch hers into a double. It left UCLA with a runner on third with one out for Alyssa Garcia, who singled and scored Brady. Thessa Malau’ulu hit into what looked to be a double play. While the Cardinal got Vines out at second, a throwing error allowed Malau’ulu to reach on the fielder’s choice and advance all the way to third on the error. Kelli Godin added an RBI single to score Malau’ulu and, after two, UCLA was up, 2-0.

Meanwhile, Rachel Garcia was her usual self. Though she allowed a one-out single in the first, she retired the next thirteen in a row.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Bruins picked up an insurance run, though they wouldn’t need it with Garcia in the circle. Malau’ulu hit a ball that bounced off the glove of Stanford’s third baseman for another hit and she advanced to second on a groundout by Godin. Aaliyah Jordan drew a walk, giving UCLA runners on first and second with two outs. Briana Perez hit a ball up the middle which scored Malau’ulu to put the Bruins up, 3-0.

In the fifth, the Cardinal picked up their second hit of the game, but couldn’t do anything with it.

The bottom of the fifth saw a pitching change when the Cardinal brought in Tatum Boyd to take over for Vawter. While UCLA loaded the bases on singles by Brady, Vines and Malau’ulu, Jenavee Peres hit into an inning-ending double play.

Aaliyah Jordan led up the sixth inning with a solo homer to left center. It would be the only run of the inning, but brought the Bruins’ lead to 4-0.

Stanford mounted their biggest threat in the top of the seventh. Down to their final out, they were able to get a hit and a walk, but Garcia struck the next batter out to end the threat and the game. For Garcia, it was another complete game shutout with a final score of 4-0.

Today’s games will be televised on Pac-12 Networks. There will be no tickets sold to the public, and fans in attendance are only guests of the players.

#2 UCLA Softball (35-3, 14-2)

Opponent: Stanford Cardinal (29-15, 8-8)
Where: Easton Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Game 1

When: 2:00 pm PT, Saturday, May 8, 2021
TV: Pac-12 Networks Los Angeles and Bay Area
Live Stream: Pac-12.com
Live Audio: UCLA Live Audio
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

Game 2

When: 4:30 pm PT, Saturday, May 8, 2021
TV: Pac-12 Networks Los Angeles and Bay Area
Live Stream: Pac-12.com
Live Audio: UCLA Live Audio
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

Game Notes
UCLA

Official Preview

Go Bruins!!!

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