Sunday, February 8
Davis, CA
9:30 AM
Saint Mary's College of California
2-3
2
at
3
UC Davis
3-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Saint Mary's
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
2
4
0
UC Davis
0
0
0
3
0
0
X
3
7
0
Julia Medina: 1-3 R, 6 Outs Recorded at 3B
Photo by: Ryan Barnett / SMC Athletics
SB | Gaels Fall 3-2 to UC Davis in NorCal Kickoff Finale
2/8/2026 12:49:00 PM | Softball
DAVIS, Calif. — Opening weekend is in the books for the Saint Mary's Gaels, as they came up just short against UC Davis, 3-2, in the NorCal Kickoff finale Sunday Morning in Davis. It was the third straight matchup between the Gaels and Aggies decided by two runs or fewer, demonstrating how tightly these two regional foes have matched up in recent history.
The Gaels mustered up four hits against Aggie ace Caroline Grimes, including a double from leadoff hitter Hannah Ferguson, who also made her first appearance in the outfield since 2024, returning from injury. Ferguson and Julia Medina both scored for the Gaels, while Victoria Castillo and Isabella Scolini each drove in a run. Sophomore pitcher Ella Thurman worked her second complete game in as many days, hanging up five zeroes in the six inning outing, but allowed three runs in the fourth, proving to be the difference in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ella Thurman looked fresh despite pitching a complete game victory 24 hours prior against Cal Poly. The sophomore out of Chico, allowed just one runner to reach through the first three innings, while her offense gave her a 1-0 lead in the third. Julia Medina and Janessa Parras led off the third with back to back knocks, and with two outs, Victoria Castillo smacked a single to center, scoring Medina.
With one out in the fourth, the Aggie offense came to life, stringing together four straight hits, resulting in three runs to pull ahead. In the sixth, Hannah Ferguson slapped a one out double to right center, stole third, then scored on the ever rare sacrifice fly to second, off the bat of Isabella Scolini, demonstrating her speed.
Down one in the seventh, the Gaels got the tying run on base, when Sam Buckley was plunked by a pitch, but never were able to get her beyond first base, as the Gaels ultimately fell in the low scoring affair, 3-2.
GAME NOTES
#GaelsRise
The Gaels mustered up four hits against Aggie ace Caroline Grimes, including a double from leadoff hitter Hannah Ferguson, who also made her first appearance in the outfield since 2024, returning from injury. Ferguson and Julia Medina both scored for the Gaels, while Victoria Castillo and Isabella Scolini each drove in a run. Sophomore pitcher Ella Thurman worked her second complete game in as many days, hanging up five zeroes in the six inning outing, but allowed three runs in the fourth, proving to be the difference in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ella Thurman looked fresh despite pitching a complete game victory 24 hours prior against Cal Poly. The sophomore out of Chico, allowed just one runner to reach through the first three innings, while her offense gave her a 1-0 lead in the third. Julia Medina and Janessa Parras led off the third with back to back knocks, and with two outs, Victoria Castillo smacked a single to center, scoring Medina.
With one out in the fourth, the Aggie offense came to life, stringing together four straight hits, resulting in three runs to pull ahead. In the sixth, Hannah Ferguson slapped a one out double to right center, stole third, then scored on the ever rare sacrifice fly to second, off the bat of Isabella Scolini, demonstrating her speed.
Down one in the seventh, the Gaels got the tying run on base, when Sam Buckley was plunked by a pitch, but never were able to get her beyond first base, as the Gaels ultimately fell in the low scoring affair, 3-2.
GAME NOTES
- After not throwing a complete game in her freshman campaign, Ella Thurman has now tossed two in the opening weekend of her sophomore season, splitting the two decisions.
- Thurman now leads the Gaels with 13 innings pitched on the young campaign.
- Victoria Castillo continues to lead the Gael offense, logging her team-best fifth hit of the weekend. She also leads the team with a 0.417 average and a 0.533 on-base percentage.
- Hannah Ferguson's double was her third hit of the season, and her second of the extra base variety.
- True freshman catcher Janessa Parras picked up her first collegiate hit in this one.
- Julia Medina put together a solid showing all around, logging one of the Gaels four hits, one of their two runs, and recording six outs at the hot corner. She is now a perfect 15-15 on fielding chances at third, after playing exclusively in the outfield last season.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Caroline Grimes (2-1)
L: Thurman, Ella (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Ferguson, Hannah 1
RBI: Castillo, Victoria 1 ; Scolini, Isabella 1
SF: Scolini, Isabella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ferguson, Hannah 1 ; Medina, Julia 1
SB: Ferguson, Hannah 1
HBP: Buckley, Sam 1
Batting:
2B: Marley Panziera 1
RBI: Naomi Kalanetra 2 ; Abby Lee 1
SF: Abby Lee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Keira Brady 1 ; Marley Panziera 1 ; Naomi Kalanetra 1
SB: Alyssa Dethlefson 1 ; Keira Brady 1 ; Naomi Kalanetra 1 ; Vanessa Calvillo 1 ; Rylee Reeves 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballUTL
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballUTL
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballP/INF
/ SoftballSB | Saint Mary's at UC Davis, 2-8-26
Sunday, February 08
SB | Saint Mary's at Sacramento State, 2-7-26
Saturday, February 07
SB | Saint Mary's at Sacramento State Highlights, 2-6-26
Friday, February 06
SB | Highlights at LMU, 5-10-25 G2
Saturday, May 10
