Garcia Named Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Freshman Zach Garcia was named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Team on Wednesday, being the sole member of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's baseball team to be honored.

"I'm always excited when our guys achieve at this level," said head coach Scott Malone. "No matter what it takes, that's what the job's about whether he's up at six in the morning to lift weights, going for a run or working on bullpens, these guys find a way to do it at the highest level. We have had players excel and play at a high level for us, but it's unique for a freshman to do that. It gets the coaching stagg, teammates and fans excited about what the future holds for us with him leading the way in future years!"

Garcia began the season as a reliever for the Islanders, quickly posting a 2-0 record with two saves in non-conference play. His first victory came in just the second game of the season against UT Arlington as he pitched four innings without allowing a run and only two hits. Once he claimed his second save against Power Five opponent Nebraska, he swiftly took over starting duties for conference play.

The true freshman pitched his first complete game against HBU in a 17-3 run-rule victory in seven innings on April 14. The feat was a rarity for the Islanders, being the only one to accomplish it in the 2022 campaign with the last coming from junior Hayden Thomas in the season before.

Leading the way to victory, Garcia took the mound in the first game of the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament and pitched 6.1 innings for four strikeouts in the performance. He concluded the season with a 6-3 record with two saves and a 3.86 ERA, which led the team. Through the course of the season, Garcia struck out 65 batters in 67.2 innings pitched.

Garcia decorated his trophy case after the Southland concluded its season, being named as the SLC Freshman of the Year and to the All-Conference Second-Team as a starting pitcher.

"Garcia is a great guy on and off the field and no one deserves it more that he does," concluded Malone.

All Freshman All-Americans can be found on Collegiate Baseball's website here.

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