SB | Casas, Gallagher Named to All-WCC Preseason Team

SAN MATEO, Calif. — The West Coast Conference announced the results of their preseason coaches poll today and two Gaels were named to the All-WCC Preseason Team. Both Alex Casas and Maddie Gallagher were selected to the all-conference squad after excellent first years with the Gaels in 2020.

Casas was an impact player for SMC on both sides of the ball during her freshman campaign. Offensively, she was second on the team in batting average (.286), first in on-base percentage (.408), and tied for second in extra base hits (9). Casas also co-led the team with four stolen bases and scored 12 runs, best for second on the club.

Casas spent most of her time defensively in right field and recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. She posted several outfield assists and also spent some time for the Gaels behind the dish.

Gallagher was also in her first season with the team last year after transferring from San Jose City College. The then-junior mashed as the team's primary designated player and batted a team-high .342. Gallagher led the Gaels with 25 hits, smacked three homers, slugged .507, and drove in 10 runs.

In her final five games of the year, the San Martin, Calif. native was 8-for-14 at the plate and collected three RBIs.

It was the first time since 2018 that the Gaels have had multiple players named to the WCC Preseason Team (Nikki Alexander, Hailey Sparacino).

In the team poll, Saint Mary's was projected to tie for fifth with Santa Clara. BYU, who has won the conference every year since the WCC began sponsoring softball in 2014, was projected to finish first once again and earned four first place votes.

The Gaels begin their 2021 season tomorrow morning with a doubleheader against Nevada. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. and fans can watch the action live by clicking the link on the schedule page.

2021 WCC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (First Place Votes)	Points
BYU (4)	24
Loyola Marymount (1)	20
Pacific (1)	19
San Diego	13
Saint Mary's	7
Santa Clara	7

2021 All-WCC Preseason Softball Team – Position Players
Name	Institution	Yr.	Pos.
Huntyr Ava	BYU	So.	1B
Sophia Bjerk	San Diego	Jr.	3B
Alex Casas	Saint Mary's	So.	UTL
Marissa Chavez	BYU	Jr.	SS
Maddie Gallagher	Saint Mary's	Sr.	DP
Andrea Gonzalez	LMU	Jr.	3B
Molly Grumbo	LMU	Jr.	C
Rylee Jensen McFarland	BYU	Sr.	OF
Hanna Krosky	Pacific	Sr.	1B
Jessica Mabrey	Pacific	Jr.	UTL
Ashley Trierweiler	Santa Clara	So.	OF