Rachel Garcia Shines at Home Run Derby X in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY — Known primarily for her pitching skills, Rachel Garcia, the 2019 Women’s College World Series champion and a two-time NFCA National Player of the Year, showcased her impressive offensive abilities during the Home Run Derby X. This led her team, the Blue Jays, to victory, marked by her standout performance.
Garcia has a remarkable history on the mound; however, she demonstrated significant power at the plate, contributing to the team’s success. The Blue Jays’ Devon Travis secured the winning moment in the contest, making a comeback after trailing by 12 points. His strategy involved seeking double points and hitting home runs rapidly, even after the official end of the game.
Reflecting on the experience, Travis stated, “Honestly, I had no idea what was going on. I focused on just swinging and hoping for the best.” He acknowledged the importance of his teammates’ performances, especially Garcia’s, which set the tone for a triumphant round.
Unlike traditional derbies, Home Run Derby X incorporates defense into scoring, rewarding teams for athletic skills beyond just hitting. The Blue Jays exhibited impressive defensive plays, further enhancing their final score, with Kevin Pillar noting how crucial it is to also perform well on defense.
The Blue Jays now prepare for their next challenge in Salt Lake City, where they hope to claim the title of the inaugural Home Run Derby X champions and win $200,000. Pillar humorously mentioned the need to negotiate with their families about leaving home again after the event.
The competition held special significance as it coincided with the tenth anniversary celebration of the Royals’ 2015 World Series win. Despite fielding a team filled with Royals legends, they were not able to advance past the semifinals.
As the Blue Jays celebrated their victory, Zobrist, from the Royals’ infield team, reminisced about the past, adding, “The Blue Jays played excellently, but let’s not forget how we got them back 10 years ago!” This sentiment encapsulated the spirit of the day, blending new memories with cherished history.
