It took five innings for the offense to come alive, but with Rachel Garcia in the circle there was no sign of panic from the UCLA softball team.
Garcia struck out eight of the first 10 batters she faced Friday night and almost threw her first no-hitter of the season as the Bruins took their first step toward a 12th NCAA national championship with a 3-0 victory over Sacramento State in a Division I Los Angeles Regional opener at Easton Stadium.
Showing why she was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, Garcia did not allow a baserunner until Sydney Rasmussen drew a walk to lead off the fifth inning.