UCLA Softball Pitcher Rachel Garcia Wins 2019 Honda Cup

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The Honda Sports Award trophy
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Every year since 2008, Honda has recognized outstanding collegiate female athletes across 12 different sports. Four nominees are chosen for each category, with one of those four winning the Honda Sports Award for each of the 12 sports. Those 12 athletes are then in the running to win the Honda-Broderick Cup award for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. This year’s winner was UCLA softball pitcher Rachel Garcia.

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This award from Honda shouldn’t come as a surprise to Garcia, since she had previously been awarded her second USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. The junior pitcher also led the Bruins to the 2019 Women’s College World Series championship where they took home the top prize. The UCLA star was named the Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

Check out our timeline in between the first and second quarters of the @UCLAFootball game, as the National Champions are honored on the field.

And check back in at the start of halftime, as @raaaccchhheeell is honored as the @CWSA_HondaCup Award winner.#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/XDIaWOOzoY
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) September 14, 2019

Garcia was the softball winner of the Honda Sport Award in 2018 as well, making her 2019 win the 11th win for UCLA softball in total. Other notable UCLA winners include three-time medal-winning Olympian Lisa Fernandez, Team USA gold-medalist Natasha Watley, and Olympic champion and current Michigan Wolverines pitching coach Jennifer Brundage. Garcia is also the fifth UCLA Bruin to win the Honda Cup.

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During the 2019 World Series, Garcia went 9-0 in the circle and posted 79 strikeouts in nearly 66 innings. On top of that, she batted .300, hit three homeruns, 16 RBIs, and walked eight times. It’s no wonder she was also nominated for the ESPY for Best College Athlete! Rachel Garcia has another year of softball to play at UCLA, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for her next year when Honda hands out the next round of awards.

Ben Parker

Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.