LOUISVILLE, KY. — Already crowned the WCC Player of the Week, Saint Mary's sophomore slugger Sam Buckley has now garnered national attention, being named the National Player of the Week by both D1softball.com and by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Buckley is the first ever Gael to earn these distinguished honors. 

Sam Buckley was only retired twice in 16 plate appearances over four games this weekend. The Burbank native began her weekend with the first three home run game in Saint Mary's history, driving in eight in a 15-9 victory over Idaho State. Buckley would add her fourth home run of the day in game two of the doubleheader with the Bengals, the Gaels lone loss on the weekend. In her final two games of the weekend, one at ISU and one at Utah State, Buckley went a perfect 6-for-6 with a double, a triple, two more home runs and six RBI, bringing her weekend tally to six long balls and 15 runs driven in. If all of that wasn't enough, Buckley also had a perfect fielding percentage for the weekend on 14 chances at third base. 

After a much deserved weekend off, Buckley and the Gaels will be back in action on April 1, hosting the UC Davis Aggies. 

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