MORAGA, Calif. — Through just one week of WCC play, the Saint Mary's Gaels (23-15, 3-1 WCC) find themselves tied for first play in the conference. The Gaels took three of four against the Pacific Tigers last week, narrowly missing the sweep, dropping game two of the four game set in extra innings. Just one week into the conference season, and the Gaels have already reached their bye week, but will not take the whole week off, as they will take on the Spartans of San Jose State (13-23, 3-10 Mountain West) for a Wednesday afternoon matchup.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs San Jose State Spartans
Wednesday, April 17 at 3 PM
Cottrell Field – Moraga, Calif.
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LIVE STATS
BEST GAELS SOFTBALL TEAM EVER?
There is no question that this year's rendition of Saint Mary's Softball has been stellar, but are they the best group that has ever put on the Saint Mary's uniform? Let's take a look at some of the numbers. The Gaels have only won 30 games in a single season once in program history (2010). This year's team currently sits at 23 wins, and will break into the top-10 total wins in a single season with one more win. The Gaels have 14 regular season games remaining, and would need to go just 7-7 to reach the 30 win mark for the second time in program history, and eight wins to set a new program record for wins in a single season.
The high win total is due in part to some incredible performances this season. True freshman Sam Buckley leads the WCC with a 0.404 batting average through 38 games played, which also sits her at fourth best for a single season in program history. Buckley is also one three bagger away from tying the single season triple record, which has stood for 38 years. Her seven triples rank seventh in program history in just one year of play, with 14 more games to go. It's not only the freshman who's turned heads this season, however, as senior Marissa Montelongo is also trying to rewrite history. Montelongo already ranks in the top-10 for single season history for runs scored (32, 10th) and stolen bases (25, 5th). She is 13 runs away from tying the single season record and 14 stolen bases away from tying the single season record. Montelongo is one stolen base away from 50 for her career, something that only four other Gaels have achieved in their career.
IN THE FAST LANE
Redshirt sophomore first baseman Taylor Lane has picked up her offensive production over the past three weeks. The Huntington Beach native saw her average down at 0.235 exactly one month ago, but has gone 11-for-28 (0.393) since that point, logging hits in nine of 11 ball games, and bringing her average up 40 points to 0.275. She ranks third on the team with 18 runs batted in, and second with three home runs. Lane is the team's active leader in doubles, home runs and RBI with 12, 5 and 37 respectively.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
For the second time this season, Saint Mary's and San Jose State will square off, this time in Moraga, as the Gaels took their last meeting with the Spartans in Davis 5-3 on opening weekend. The Spartans sit at 13-23 this season, after being swept by San Diego State last weekend. Fourth year Head Coach Tammy Lohmann saw her team heat up at the tail end of last season, making it all the way to the Mountain West Title Game. She'll hope they can catch fire again late this season. Second year second baseman Reina Zermeno has continued the epic start to her collegiate career, hitting better than 0.300 for the second consecutive season. Leading her team with a 0.381 average, 40 hits, 16 extra base hits, 21 runs scored and 30 RBI, Zermeno has been a near impossible out this season. Spartan pitching has struggled this season, with Mia Reynolds and Lacie Ham sharing starter roles and Alexis Toner often used as a bullpen pitcher, all with ERAs north of 4.50. Overall, San Jose State leads the all-time series 42-16, sweeping the Gaels last season. Saint Mary's looks to return the favor this season.
#GaelsRise
