MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Softball (2-6) continues to duke it out in close game after close game. With an average final score of 4-2 in their games this season, the Gaels pitching has kept them in games, thus far this season, while the offense seems to be a powder keg about to explode. The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic would be an incredible place for that to happen. WIdely regarded as one of the premiere early season tournaments in collegiate softball, the Gaels will get their shot at some of the top teams, not only from California, but also beyond, taking on Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, RV Northwestern, Hawaii and #21 San Diego State in the event. These five opponents have opened up the season with a combined record of 30-19, and should provide another good early test for the Gaels.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Cal State Fullerton Titans
Friday, February 21 at 3 PM
Big League Dreams – Cathedral City, Calif.
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LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Cal State Northridge Matadors
Friday, February 21 at 8 PM
Big League Dreams – Cathedral City, Calif.
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Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Northwestern Wildcats
Saturday, February 22 at 5 PM
Big League Dreams – Cathedral City, Calif.
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Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 PM
Big League Dreams – Cathedral City, Calif.
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Saint Mary's Gaels vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Sunday, February 23 at 11 AM
Big League Dreams – Cathedral City, Calif.
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LIVE STATS
BROWN HEATS UP
Entering last weekend's slate of games, sophomore Braxton Brown had just one collegiate hit to her name. In her freshman season, the Benicia, California native had put plenty of good swings on pitches, but seemed to get unlucky when it came to defensive alignments against her. Her solid swings seemed to finally break through this past weekend at the Wilson Tournament, as she was the only Gael to log a hit in all three ball games. She now leads the Gaels with a 0.364 average for the season. As Brown continues to develop she should be another solid piece in Coach Sonja Garnett's young offensive arsenal.
ANOTHER FRESHMAN PHENOM IN THE CIRCLE
Over the past four seasons, Head Coach Sonja Garnett has rolled out one terrific freshman pitcher after another, and this year has been no exception. Back in 2022, it was Avrey Wolverton, who made six appearances, going 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA before being shut down due to injury. In 2023, Wolverton returned for a brilliant redshirt freshman campaign (6-6 with a WCC best 2.07 ERA), and was complimented by then true freshman Odhi Vasquez, going 7-6 with a 3.08 ERA. Both earned All-WCC honors. Last year, Mia Nishikawa burst onto the scene, winning a team-high 12 games and holding a 3.24 ERA, also earning all-conference honors. This year, Ella Thurman has been a brilliant option out of the bullpen, appearing in four contests on the young season, and leading the WCC with a 1.11 ERA over 12.2 innings. A standout pitcher herself in her collegiate playing days, Head Coach Sonja Garnett continues to demonstrate the Gaels excellent recruiting and development abilities for young pitchers.
ABOUT THE TITANS
The final team the Gaels saw in 2024, Cal State Fullerton returns to action in 2025 after a trip to the Stanford Regional last year. The 2024 Big West Champs, Fullerton was picked to finish second in the Big West this year, now under the guidance of first year Head Coach Gina Oaks Garcia. Former Head Coach Kelly Ford retired following this past year after a stellar 12 year run at the helm. Coach Oaks Garcia now takes the reins of the CSUF softball program after five seasons of head coaching experience at DIII Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Oaks Garcia spent last year on staff with Ford, and is no stranger to Titans softball, as a graduate of the program in 2004. Off to an 8-3 start, Fullerton looks to have picked up from where they left off last year, with their only losses coming to #3 Oklahoma and #15 Arizona. Five of the Titans everyday starters are batting 0.348 or better, headlined by junior third year Titan Ava Arce, who boasts a 0.517 clip with 17 RBI, just 11 shy of her total from all of last year. Led by Arce, the Titans currently rank 26th in the country with a team batting average of 0.359. Last year, the Gaels were eliminated from postseason contention by the Titans in game two of the Stanord Regional. Fullerton hung up a four spot in the bottom of the first, and while Avrey Wolverton tossed 3.2 scoreless in relief, Saint Mary's could only muster up one run for the entire game, falling 6-1. All-time, the Titans lead the series 2-1.
ABOUT THE MATADORS
Another common foe from last year, the Gaels will renew hostilities with the Matadors at the Nutter Classic. Head Coach Charlotte Morgan is riding three straight 20+ win seasons, and is looking to right the ship in 2025 after a 2-7 start. Both Matador wins have come with junior Lauryn Carranco in the circle. A two-time All-Big West selectee, Carranco will continue to occupy the ace role for the Matadors, currently at 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts to just six walks. The rest of the Matador pitching staff sits at a combined 0-5 with an era of 6.78, eight strikeouts and 14 walks. A year ago, the Gaels fell 5-1 to the Matadors in Northridge, tallying just one run on one hit, a Taylor Lane RBI double. Kylie Galindo and Alexis Chavez both drove in three of the five Matador runs that day, and both return to this year's squad. CSUN is 12-2 all-time vs the Gaels.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
The Gaels will get their first look at a Big 10 foe since last year's victory over Iowa, as they will kick off day two of the Nutter Classic with Northwestern, a team that has received votes in the latest USA Softball Top-25. Don't let the 5-5 record fool you, all five of Northwestern's losses have come to ranked opponents, and they already have logged a signature win over #8 Duke. Now in her 24th season at the helm, Head Coach Kate Drohan has logged 785 wins in her career, the all-time winningest softball coach in Northwestern history. True freshman Kaylie Avvisato has been the biggest offensive contributor for the Wildcats on the young season, batting at 0.455 with two doubles and two triples. The freshman Avvisato has been paired nicely with veteran Grace Nieto, who returned from missing all of 2024 due to injury, and has a 0.391 clip. Northwestern and Saint Mary's have met just eight times in program history, with the Wildcats leading the all-time series 7-1. They have not played one another since 2017.
ABOUT THE RAINBOW WAHINE
The Gaels third Big West foe of the tournament, Hawaii proves another tough test for the Gaels, as they are off to a blazing 9-2 start. Head Coach Bob Coolen has helmed the Rainbow Wahine program for 34 seasons, and has an incredible 1108 wins to his name, ranking him fifth amongst active Division I coaches. The starting pitching duo of Hawaii has been their biggest asset this season. Addison Kostrencich is in her second season in Manoa after transferring from Long Beach State, and is 4-2 in six starts with a 2.24 ERA, while Fullerton JC transfer Macy Brandl is 4-0 in seven appearances (five starts) with a 2.85 ERA. Brandl currently ranks second in the country with four complete games thrown. This will be the 20th all-time meeting between the Gaels and Rainbow Wahine, with the Gaels owning four wins in the first 19 meetings.
ABOUT THE AZTECS
San Diego State will likely be the toughest challenge for the Gaels in this event, checking in at 23rd in the country according to USA Softball. The Aztecs sit at 8-2 with wins over 14th ranked Alabama and 16th ranked Missouri already on the young campaign. In her fourth year at the helm of the Aztec program, Head Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz looks well on her way to her fourth straight 30+ win season. Seven of the nine Aztec starting hitters bat over 0.300, led by Lala Macario's 0.536 clip. Their pitching has been equally as brilliant, led by Grace Uribe, going 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 7 appearances. Saint Mary's and San Diego State have played 24 times in program history, with the Gaels owning four wins over the Aztecs. The two team played a three game series in 2021, with all three games decided by one run, with the middle going the way of the Gaels 2-1.
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