(L-R) Odhi Vasquez, Sam Buckley, Mia Nishikawa
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
SB | Gaels Picked to Finish Second in WCC Preseason Polls, Three Named to the Preseason All-Conference Team
1/28/2026 10:01:00 AM | Softball
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Coming off of their second straight WCC Title, the Saint Mary's Gaels are expected to be back towards the top of the West Coast Conference standings in 2026, as the Gaels have picked to finish second in the preseason WCC coaches poll. Three different Gaels were named to the preseason all-conference team, as Sam Buckley, Mia Nishikawa and Odhi Vasquez look to lead Saint Mary's to their third straight conference crown.
A first team All-WCC member from a year ago, Sam Buckley's 2025 campaign was one for the ages. The rising junior capped her sophomore year by setting new program records for home runs (14), runs scored (47) and RBI (41), en route to her first NFCA All-Region honor. Through two full seasons, Buckley's 0.380 career batting average is the best in program history, while she needs just eight more home runs to set the new program career homer record.
Fellow rising junior Mia Nishikawa earned a second team All-WCC nod a season ago, after her second straight 10+ win season. The Fresno native made her mark in conference play, going unbeaten in her eight starts against WCC foes. She worked two complete game shutouts on the season, one on the road at UC Davis, tossing a career-high 122 pitches, and the other against 2025 WCC Co-Champ Santa Clara, surrendering just three hits in the 1-0 victory.
Rounding out the group is fourth year senior Odhi Vasquez. A three time All-WCC honoree, including her first first team nod a year ago, Vasquez enters her senior campaign with 31 career wins, 320 career strikeouts, a 2.73 career ERA and a stellar 0.219 career opponents batting average. A year ago, the veteran ace set personal single season bests in wins, innings pitched, strikeout and opponents batting average, and earned WCC Pitcher of the Week four times. She is one of just five players in program history with at least 300 strikeouts and is on pace to be just the second ever Gael to reach 400 Ks.
Softball season kicks off on February 6 - 8, as the Gaels head back to Sacramento and Davis for the NorCal Kickoff for the third straight year. The first chance to see the Gaels at home will be on February 13 and 14, when they host CSUN for a three game series. WCC play opens on March 27 and culminates on May 9, as the Gaels and Santa Clara Broncos square off in the season finale, a marquee matchup against the 2025 WCC Co-Champions.
#GaelsRise
A first team All-WCC member from a year ago, Sam Buckley's 2025 campaign was one for the ages. The rising junior capped her sophomore year by setting new program records for home runs (14), runs scored (47) and RBI (41), en route to her first NFCA All-Region honor. Through two full seasons, Buckley's 0.380 career batting average is the best in program history, while she needs just eight more home runs to set the new program career homer record.
Fellow rising junior Mia Nishikawa earned a second team All-WCC nod a season ago, after her second straight 10+ win season. The Fresno native made her mark in conference play, going unbeaten in her eight starts against WCC foes. She worked two complete game shutouts on the season, one on the road at UC Davis, tossing a career-high 122 pitches, and the other against 2025 WCC Co-Champ Santa Clara, surrendering just three hits in the 1-0 victory.
Rounding out the group is fourth year senior Odhi Vasquez. A three time All-WCC honoree, including her first first team nod a year ago, Vasquez enters her senior campaign with 31 career wins, 320 career strikeouts, a 2.73 career ERA and a stellar 0.219 career opponents batting average. A year ago, the veteran ace set personal single season bests in wins, innings pitched, strikeout and opponents batting average, and earned WCC Pitcher of the Week four times. She is one of just five players in program history with at least 300 strikeouts and is on pace to be just the second ever Gael to reach 400 Ks.
Softball season kicks off on February 6 - 8, as the Gaels head back to Sacramento and Davis for the NorCal Kickoff for the third straight year. The first chance to see the Gaels at home will be on February 13 and 14, when they host CSUN for a three game series. WCC play opens on March 27 and culminates on May 9, as the Gaels and Santa Clara Broncos square off in the season finale, a marquee matchup against the 2025 WCC Co-Champions.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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Saturday, May 10
SB | Highlights at LMU, 5-10-25 G1
Saturday, May 10
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Friday, May 09
SB | Highlights vs San Diego, 5-4-25
Sunday, May 04
