University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Aleena Garcia
Photo by: Jesus Ramirez
Garcia Named Softball America’s Defender of the Week
April 07, 2026 | Softball
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+.
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+.
GARCIA WITH THE BACKHAND AND THROW! ??
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) April 5, 2026
??: B1G+
??: https://t.co/xQPMxWxxFe#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/HREFrrEvDy
ANOTHER ALEENA GARCIA WEB GEM! ?????
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) April 5, 2026
??: B1G+
??: https://t.co/xQPMxWxxFe#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/sQnugdEsvg
Pitcher's best friend! 6-4-3 double play!
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) April 5, 2026
??: B1G+ pic.twitter.com/QQcyPUNPaU
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballHighlights - UCLA Softball vs. Indiana (April 5, 2026)
Sunday, April 05
Highlights - UCLA Softball vs. Indiana (April 4, 2026)
Saturday, April 04
Highlights - UCLA Softball vs. Indiana (April 3, 2026)
Friday, April 03
Highlights - UCLA Softball vs. Hawai'i (April 2, 2026)
Thursday, April 02