In a notable recognition at Cal State East Bay, senior softball standout, Annelise Garcia, emerges as a symbol of dedication and achievement both on and off the field. She is featured in this week's Pioneer Spotlight. 

Garcia's journey through collegiate softball has been marked by continuous achievement and growth within the Pioneers' program. Originally joining the team in her freshman year in 2022, she quickly set the standard by earning a spot on the CCAA All-Academic Team after showcasing a notable .340 batting average in her debut season. As she progressed through her career, Garcia continued to accumulate accolades, including multiple All-CCAA honors, Academic All-District®, and recognition as part of D2CCA and NFCA DII All-Region West First Teams.

Her junior year particularly stands out as she led the Pioneers in batting average, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases. This performance not only earned her a spot on the CCAA All-Tournament Team but also led to her being named the CCAA Player of the Week in March of 2024. Garcia's efforts culminated in her senior year on the CCAA Preseason Watchlist heading into 2025, illustrating her critical role on the team that for the first time in over three decades, reached NCAA Division II Softball Regionals.

Beyond the diamond, Garcia is an advocate for the mental well-being of student-athletes, expressing a deep commitment to ensuring their mental health is prioritized. Her personal struggle with confidence and anxiety has driven her to emphasize the importance of support systems for athletes, highlighting the necessity of addressing mental health concerns within the athletic community.

"Athletically, I have faced times where I have lacked confidence and the ability to handle anxiety from time to time. With these struggles, I have learned that I have to trust the process, and like Coach A constantly says 'The game will give back as much as you put in.' Trusting that all of my hard work will pay off as well as leaning on my support system has helped me through the toughest times as an athlete."

"I am very passionate about student-athletes and their mental health. There are so many things that college athletes have to juggle and their mental health should not be something that they should be worried about. ...We need to make sure mental health is a priority for each and every athlete across the world and make them feel as if they are supported every step of the way throughout their career."

As Garcia prepares to finish her Cal State East Bay career on the field, her legacy as a Pioneer will undoubtedly be remembered for her exceptional contributions to the team and her relentless advocacy for athlete welfare off the field.