MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Softball (5-5) is set for their third weekend tournament in as many weeks, this weekend heading to Bakersfield to take part in the Welter Classic, hosted by Cal State Bakersfield. The tournament will span four games over two days, and will feature the Gaels, Montana Grizzlies (3-7) and the host Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-7). The Gaels hope to continue their winning ways, looking to build on their best start since 2021.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Montana Grizzlies
Friday, February 23 at 9 AM
Roadrunner Softball Complex – Bakersfield, Calif.
Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners
Friday, February 23 at 2 PM
Roadrunners Softball Complex – Bakersfield, Calif.
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Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Montana Grizzlies
Saturday, February 24 at 9 AM
Roadrunner Softball Complex – Bakersfield, Calif.
Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners
Saturday, February 24 at 11:30 AM
Roadrunner Softball Complex – Bakersfield, Calif.
Live Stats
THE YOUNG RBI QUEEN
This season's Gaels squad is chocked full of young talent, but the most prominent offensive threat this season has been the freshman third baseman out of Burbank, Sam Buckley. Through her first 10 collegiate games, Buckley is batting 0.400 with six of her 10 hits coming of the extra base variety. Buckley has already accounted for 12 RBI this season. To put that number into perspective, only four Gaels logged 12 or more RBI throughout the entire 49 game season last year. This past week, Buckley went 5-13 at the plate with her first two collegiate home runs and seven runs driven in, earning her WCC Player of the Week honors.
SPEEDSTERS
On the season, Saint Mary's has already swiped 21 of 23 bags successfully. Leading the way is Marissa Montelongo, who's stolen nine of nine successfully to bring her impressive career total to 33 stolen bases, good for ninth most in program history. As a team, the Gaels rank 16th in the country with 21 stolen bases, while individually, Montelongo ranks seventh in the NCAA.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES
The Gaels first opponent on day one and day two will be the Montana Grizzlies. After a 3-3 start, the Grizz have lost each of their last four contests heading into this tournament. Junior outfielder Jantzi Presley has swung a hot stick to start the year, batting at 0.364, while UNLV transfer Jocelyn Eisen has also provided good pop in the lineup with a 0.321 batting average. Unfortunately for Montana, the hitting has not been contagious, as the team holds just a 0.213 batting average. Sophomore Grace Haegele has moved into an ace role after earning a role in the rotation last season. Haegele holds a 2-2 record with a team best 3.27 ERA. Defensive inconsistency has led to some of the Grizzlies' recent struggles, with the team holding just a 0.938 fielding percentage, resulting in 19 unearned runs coming across through the first 10 games. Since 2018, Melanie Meuchel has been at the helm of the Griz program, and looks to have a bounce back year in 2024 after her squad finished with just 10 wins in 2023. The all-time series between Saint Mary's and Montana is tied at 2-2 with the two teams splitting a two game set when they last met in 2022.
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS
Host Cal State Bakersfield will be the Gaels second opponent. The Roadrunners are off to a 1-7 start, with their lone win coming against Utah State, 3-2 at the CBU Classic. Abilene Christian transfer Logan-Ray Gaspar has been the bright spot for Bakersfield this season, with a team-high 0.450 batting average and a team best four RBI. Returner Kaia Johnson is the only other player on the Bakersfield roster with an average over 0.300, checking in at 0.368. True freshman Dani Hunter has been the Roadrunners' most consistent pitcher, owning the team's lone win and holding a team low 4.20 ERA. The Roadrunners biggest struggle this year has been free passes, with 28 walks and 10 hit batters surrendered over the first eight games. Letty Olivarez is in her first season as the Head Coach of the Roadrunners, and looks to add more wins to her resume after picking up W number one last week. The Gaels lead the all-time series 23-11, and haven't seen the Roadrunners since 2019.
#GaelsRise
