SB | Gaels Picked to Repeat as WCC Champs, Four Named to Preseason All-Conference List

Photo by: SMC Athletics / Piper Westrom

SB | Gaels Picked to Repeat as WCC Champs, Four Named to Preseason All-Conference List

1/30/2025 1:01:00 PM | Softball

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — After securing their first WCC Title in program history a year, Saint Mary's Softball has been picked to do it again in 2025 in the WCC Preseason Poll. The Gaels won the conference by one game over LMU, defeating them in the regular season finale at Cottrell Field 8-0 for their 30th win of the season. LMU was picked to finish in second place once again with one first place vote to then Gaels four, while newcomer Oregon State was picked third, also with one first place vote. Santa Clara (4th), San Diego (5th) and Pacific (6th) round out the preseason poll.

Saint Mary's had four players selected to the preseason All-WCC team, more than any other team in the conference. Sam Buckley, Hannah Ferguson, Taylor Lane and Odhi Vasquez all earned the nod after being named All-WCC recipient a season ago.

The returning WCC Freshman of the year, Sam Buckley started every game for the Gaels, splitting time between third base and shortstop, and led the team with a 1.142 OPS, 21 extra base hits and 33 RBI. Her 0.508 on-base percentage led the WCC, as did her seven triples, which ranked second most for a single season in Saint Mary's history. Buckley also held a stellar 0.950 fielding percentage, platooning between shortstop and the hot corner.

The premier leadoff hitter in the WCC, Hannah Ferguson boasted a Gaels best 0.366 batting average last year. Her 67 hits were the fifth most in a single season in Saint Mary's history, as she earned her second all-conference nod in as many years with the Gaels. A career 0.313 hitter in her first two seasons with the Gaels, the San Diego native is on pace to break the program stolen base record (on pace for 81, program record is 60), after swiping 23 of 27 last year. Ferguson also owns the starting center field position for the Gaels, committing just one error in 115 fielding opportunities, good for a 0.991 fielding percentage, and making more than a few web gems in the outfield.

The Gaels best power hitter over the past two seasons, Taylor Lane led the Gaels with five home runs last season, while finishing second with 32 RBI. A two-time all-conference honoree Lane also has been the Gaels everyday first baseman, starting and appearing in 104 of the total 105 games of her Saint Mary's career (not including her redshirt year in 2022). Lane's 0.990 fielding percentage tied for seventh best in a single season last year, bringing her career fielding percentage to 0.987, good for second all-time in program history.

The ace of the Gaels brilliant pitching staff from last season, and the defending WCC Co-Pitcher of the Year, Odhi Vasquez will return to the circle for the Gaels after going 11-8 with a 2.56 ERA in 24 appearances. The now junior out of Upland led the Gaels in ERA (2.56), WHIP (1.22), opponents batting average (0.207), strikeouts (89), complete games (12) and shutouts (4). She was the first ever Gael to win WCC Pitcher of the Year honors last year, and, with her Co-Pitcher of the Year Jenna Perez graduating from LMU, should be considered the top pitcher in the WCC coming into the 2025 season.

In addition to the four preseason all-conference players, the Gaels return five of their other six starting hitters this season, and their two other members from last year's starting pitching rotation. Starting DP Alex Cutonilli and catcher Jenavee Amador both return after above 0.300 last year while earning honorable mention all-conference honors a year ago. Corner outfielders Camille Lara (LF) and Victoria Castillo (RF) both also return to flank Ferguson. Both were spectacular defensively, and drove in a combined 19 runs. Starting shortstop Tori Cervantes finished second on the team last year with 14 extra base hits and four home runs.

In the circle, Vasquez will be joined by returning all-conference honorees Mia Nishikawa and Avrey Wolverton. As a staff, the Gaels put up brilliant numbers including a 3.14 team ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a 0.261 opponents batting average, all WCC best marks. The Gaels also return pitchers Chelsea Bennett and Braxton Brown to their rotation as well as welcoming true freshman Ella Thurman to the mix.

Thurman is not the only new face to talk about for the Gaels, as defending WCC Coach of the Year Sonja Garnett brought in a full incoming class of seven true freshmen. Thurman (Pleasant Valley HS/Chico, Calif.) is the lone pitcher of the group, while Dominique Oliveira (Hollister HS) is the lone backstop. Mia Zabat (Vanden HS/Fairfield, Calif.) will compete to see time on the middle infield, while her prep teammate Kiah Silva (Vanden HS/Fairfield, Calif.), Aryanna Gonzales (Vista Murrieta HS), Kiara Vasquez (Upland HS/Younger Sister of Odhi Vasquez), and Julia Median (River City HS/West Sacramento, Calif.) all saw time on the infield and in the outfield during their prep careers.

After six pre-conference tournaments and nine additional pre-conference games, WCC play will open the first weekend of April in Stockton against Pacific. The Gaels will then take on a pair of ACC foes, Cal and Florida State, during their conference bye week, before welcoming Santa Clara to Cottrell Field. Last year in the South Bay, Santa Clara was the only WCC team to win a series over the Gaels, so Saint Mary's will look to exact revenge in front of their home fans this year. The Gaels will make their first conference trip to Corvallis for the final weekend of April. Saint Mary's bested Oregon State 1-0 in Fresno last year as a part of their brilliant 11-5 start. The first week of May will feature the Gaels final home series of the year, hosting San Diego, before the premier matchup in WCC play, the Gaels and LMU, this time in Los Angeles, and once again likely to decide the WCC Champion.

Softball season gets underway next weekend as the Gaels will take part in the NorCal Classic, co-hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis. Saint Mary's fans can take in softball at Cottrell starting March 4 when the Gaels host Sacramento State.

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