MORAGA, Calif. — On the back of their six game winning streak, Saint Mary's Softball (11-5), will have their toughest matchup to date, hosting the nationally ranked Cal Golden Bears (19-2) on Tuesday, March 5. The Gaels then return to the road for a single game at Cal State Northridge (14-4) on March 7, and a three game set at UC Riverside (4-13) spanning from March 8-9. 

THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Cal Golden Bears
Tuesday, March 5 at 3 PM
Cottrell Field – Moraga, Calif. 
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Saint Mary's Gaels at Cal State Northridge Matadors
Thursday, March 7 at 10:30 AM
Matador Diamond – Northridge, Calif. 
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Saint Mary's Gaels at UC Riverside Highlanders
Friday, March 8 at 1 PM
Harrison Softball Field – Riverside, Calif. 
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Saint Mary's Gaels at UC Riverside Highlanders (DH)
Saturday, March 9 at 11 AM / 1:30 PM
Harrison Softball Field – Riverside, Calif. 
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THE BIG THREE IN THE CIRCLE
The Gaels have become a fearsome team for any opponent to step in the batter's box against, as the trio of Mia Nishikawa, Odhi Vasquez and Avrey Wolverton have all been lights out in the circle. Just a freshman, Nishikawa already looks like a comfortable veteran on the diamond, with a record of 4-1 and a team best 1.75 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. The Fresno native has worked a team-best 40 innings and has a team leading 3.6 K/BB ratio. Vasquez, a sophomore, has been effective as ever for Saint Mary's, with an eye-popping 0.161 opponents batting average, and hasn't allowed an earned run since February 18. The grizzled veteran of the staff, Wolverton (only a redshirt sophomore), is unbeaten in her eight outings this season (3-0, 1 save) and has a team-high 23 strikeouts, including a career-best seven last week against Wagner. In the off chance that none of these three are available, sophomore Chelsea Bennett and freshman Braxton Brown have also looked solid in their appearances this year. 

MONTELONGO REMAINS PERFECT IN THE FIELD
Seldom do you see a middle infielder leading a team in fielding percentage, but that is exactly what Marissa Montelongo has done this season. The senior out of Kingsburg has yet to commit an error in the field in 76 chances. For the last time she committed an error, you'd have to go all the way back to April 30 of last year against Pacific, one of just four defensive miscues she committed all of last year. On top of this, Montelongo hasn't just been making easy plays, but has had her fair share of highlight reel snags on the year. 

ABOUT THE GOLDEN BEARS
Ranked in the top-25 in the country, Cal will enter the game with a 19-2 record, with their two losses coming to 21st ranked Louisiana and third ranked Georgia. The Bears won 35 games a season ago, and were eliminated by eventual National Champs Oklahoma in the Norman Regional last year. Head Coach Chelsea Spencer is in her fourth season at the helm of the Cal Program, and is just one win shy of 100 for her career. The big boppers in the Golden Bear lineup include 2023 third team All-Pac 12 second baseman Elon Butler (.423 7 HR 18 RBI) and shortstop Acacia Anders (.415 2 HR 20 RBI). All three starting pitchers boast sub 2.50 ERAs, led by Anna Reimers (4-0 1.56 ERA 20 K 8 BB). The matchup will be the 67th all-time between the Golden Bears and Gaels, with the Gaels owning a pair of wins all-time over Cal. In their last meeting, the Gaels dropped a narrow 1-0 decision in Moraga last year. 

ABOUT THE MATADORS
Another strong program, the CSUN Matadors sit at 14-4, riding a three game winning streak. In her fourth season at the helm, Head Coach Charlotte Morgan is off to her best start with CSUN. Two-time All-Big West right fielder Kaylee Escutia is off to a strong start in 2024, batting .333 with two home runs and 11 RBI. In the circle, CSUN boasts a pair of terrific sophomores, Isabella Alonso (5-2 2.46 ERA 23 K 16 BB) and Lauryn Carranco (8-2 1.94 ERA 49 K 23 BB). This matchup will be the 14th ever between the Matadors and Gaels, with CSUN leading the all-time series 11-2. The Gaels last win over CSUN came in 2008. 

ABOUT THE HIGHLANDERS
The final Gaels opponent this weekend will be the UC Riverside Highlanders, sitting at 4-13 on the young campaign. The all-time winningest coach in UCR history, Nikki Palmer returns for year eight at the helm of the Highlander program. Veterans Nadia Witt and Kat Montuya have been the biggest sparks in the Highlander lineup, each boast batting averages over 0.300 and multiple home runs. Pitching has been a bit of a struggle for UCR, surrendering more than five runs per game this season. The Gaels lead the all-time series over the Highlanders 13-11-1. 

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