Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Pacific Lutheran University's Paola Garcia was dialed in at the plate in her home state of California over the weekend and on Monday was tabbed the Northwest Conference's Softball Hitter of the Week.

The Downey, California native hit .455 at the plate with a .682 slugging percentage as the Lutes (8-4) won five of their six games in the Golden State. The senior outfielder led the team with 10 hits and eight RBIs, scoring six runs while stealing two bases. Two of Garcia's 10 hits went for extra bases, racking up a triple and a home run. 

Garcia had multiple hits in three of the six games while driving in two runs in a 5-2 upset of 19th-ranked Chapman University to close out the trip.

Garcia is the second Lute in as many weeks to earn NWC Player of the Week with Maiya Anderson securing NWC Pitcher of the Week last Monday. The senior outfielder has now won NWC Hitter of the Week three times in her career, previously earning the honor on April 29, 2024 and March 13, 2023. 

The Lutes open up NWC play this weekend, trekking to Forest Grove, Oregon for a four game series with Pacific University.