Redshirt freshman Rachel Garcia knocked out her first career postseason appearance and her first no-hitter on the same night.
The ace from Highland High led UCLA to an 8-0, run-rule win over Lehigh on Friday night in UCLA’s regional opener. The Bruins will face San Jose State in the second round Saturday at 2 p.m. at Easton Stadium.
Of Garcia’s 80 total pitches, 54 were strikes as she faced only one batter more than the five-inning minimum. Working with catcher Paige Halstead, Garcia struck out eight, including five of the first seven batters she faced. The only blemish on the perfect game was a hit-by-pitch in the second inning.
“She was dominating today,” head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said.
Delaney Spaulding led the Bruins on offense with three RBIs.