SB | Gaels Ride Three Game Win Streak into Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Friday, February 20

Cathedral City, CA

5:30 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

San Diego State

True freshman Janessa Parras has already thrown out two attempted base stealers in two weeks as a collegian

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

SB | Gaels Ride Three Game Win Streak into Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

2/18/2026 10:00:00 AM | Softball

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. — Coming off of a sweep of CSUN in which they allowed just one run over three games, the Saint Mary's softball team (5-3) is riding a wave of momentum heading into the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

Widely recognized as one of the premiere pre-conference play tournaments in NCAA Division I Softball, the Mary Nutter will feature a gauntlet of opponents for the Gaels, headlined by 22nd-ranked South Carolina and 23rd-ranked Washington. A year ago, the Gaels had quite the showing at the Mary Nutter, going 4-1 with signature wins over Cal State Fullerton and Northwestern.

THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. RV San Diego State Aztecs
Friday, February 20 at 5:30 PM
Big League Dreams - Cathedral City, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS

Saint Mary's Gaels vs. No. 23 Washington Huskies
Friday, February 20 at 8 PM
Big League Dreams - Cathedral City, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS

Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
Saturday, February 21 at 5 PM
Big League Dreams - Cathedral City, Calif.
WATCH

Saint Mary's Gaels vs. No. 22 South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, February 21 at 8 PM
Big League Dreams - Cathedral City, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS

Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Long Beach State
Sunday, February 22 at 11:30 AM
Big League Dreams - Cathedral City, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
After going without a defensive miscue this past weekend against CSUN, Saint Mary's has now run their error-less streak to four straight contests and their errorless game tally to six of their first eight. A variety of different players have stood out on the defensive front in the young campaign. Sophomore Julia Medina leads the Gaels with 13 assists and boasts a perfect fielding percentage, demonstrating why she earned the starting third baseman role despite not playing a single inning at that position last year. Outfielder Camille Lara has already recorded three outfield assists just two weeks into the season, adding to her impressive career total of 15. True freshman catcher Janessa Parras has already erased two attempting base stealers, playing like a veteran behind the dish. It should come as no surprise that the Gaels hold a top-10 fielding percentage in the country at .985 two weeks into the season.

UNFLAPPABLE PITCHING
Saint Mary's surrendered just one run on 10 hits over their three game sweep of CSUN last week. All three games were masterfully worked complete games from Mia Nishikawa, Ella Thurman and Odhi Vasquez respectively, all showcasing these pitchers' different styles. Nishikawa pounded the strike zone in the opener, striking out five and walking none with a strike percentage over 70%. Ella Thurman once again proved to be unfazed despite allowing eight base runners, allowing just one of those runners to score. Odhi Vasquez put the cherry on top with her signature power pitching, surrendering just one hit and inducing weak contact after weak contact in the finale. It was the first time that the Gaels have allowed just one run in three games since 2024, when they worked a pair of shutouts against Cal State Bakersfield, sandwiching one run allowed against Montana. Nishikawa and Vasquez, then just a freshman and a sophomore, each pitched a shutout in that week as well. This outstanding pitching week moved the Gaels team ERA to just 2.38, good for second in the WCC and 28th in the country.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Gaels will once again see five top tier opponents in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Things will get started on Friday night against RV San Diego State, a team that the Gaels saw in their Mary Nutter finale last year. Always a strong foe under fifth year Head Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz, the Aztecs are off to an 8-2 start, and went 5-1 this past week hosting the Campbell Cartier Classic. Led by fourth year senior Jade Ignacio, who's already driven in 10 runs on the campaign, the Aztec offense has been red hot to start 2026. Their second opponent Friday will be the 23rd ranked Washington Huskies, who currently have won five straight, after opening the season at 2-3. 22nd year Head Coach and UW alum Heather Tarr has known nothing but success in Seattle, and looks to be off to another stellar start. The dynamic duo of Sophia Ramuno and Morgan Reimer have made life tough for any opposing team this year. Day two will start with the Gaels seeing Hawaii, another foe they took on in last year's Nutter. The Rainbow Wahine are 5-3 on the young campaign under the guidance of first year head coach Panita Thanatharn. Hawaii ace Taryn Irimata has been the brightest spot of this young squad. 22nd ranked South Carolina will round out day two for the Gaels. The perennial national contenders are 7-2, winning six straight under second year Head Coach Ashley Chastain Woodard. The Gamecocks have five players hitting over 0.400, led by Tate Davis. The Gaels' final foe will be Long Beach State, sitting at 7-3 entering the tournament. The Beach are led by first year Head Coach Kendall Fearn and true freshman Nina Sepulveda, who's driven in 13 already in her debut campaign. The Gaels went 4-1 in the Nutter last year, and ride a three game winning streak into the event.

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