Friday, April 24
San Diego, CA
6:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
San Diego
Photo by: Jackson Thornborrow / SMC Athletics
SB | First Place Gaels Head to San Diego for Another Pivotal WCC Weekend
4/22/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's softball team sits at 8-1 in West Coast Conference play. That puts the Gaels atop the WCC standings at the midway point of the conference season, and they will look to expand on a 3+ game lead this weekend with a three game road series in San Diego.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Friday, April 24 at 6 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Saturday, April 25 at 4 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Sunday, April 26 at 12 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
4R = W
This simple equation has been the answer to the Gaels success this year, as Saint Mary's is now 26-0 when scoring at least four runs in a game. This has been due in large part to the outstanding work of the Gael pitching staff, who have put together a staff ERA of 3.68 for the year, and 2.65 in WCC competition. Odhi Vasquez has led this effort, with a 2.27 ERA over 108 innings pitched, leading the WCC with 17 wins, 113 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. Mia Nishikawa, Madeline Haun and Ella Thurman have all also added to the winning equations, combining for 16 additional wins between them. While the pitching has set the tone, the offense has provided the firepower, scoring at least seven runs 17 times this year and logging ten or more hits 14 times (the Gaels are 14-0 in these instances). Seven of the usual nine Gael starters in the batting order have averages over .300, while three (Hannah Ferguson, Braxton Brown and Sam Buckley) boast an OPS greater than 1.000.
ABOUT THE TOREROS
USD enters the week with a 17-25 record, including a 3-6 mark in conference play. Two of their three wins came in their lone home conference series this year, when they shocked LMU, taking two of three. The conference record overall, however, puts the Toreros at the bottom of the WCC standings, five games behind the first place Gaels. Sixth year head coach MJ Knighten became the third coach in USD history to reach triple digit wins this year, and now has a chance for her team to reach their highest win total since 2015 with a strong finish. Fourth year senior Taylor Johnson continues to lead the Torero offense, as she has throughout her USD career, batting .304 this year with 12 doubles, five homers and 20 RBI. Sonoma State transfer Charlie Johnson has held down the ace role for the pitching staff, tossing 105.2 innings and holding a 3.25 ERA in her first year at USD. All-time, the Gaels lead the series against the Toreros, 78-53, including nine wins in their last 10 meetings.
#GaelsRise
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Friday, April 24 at 6 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Saturday, April 25 at 4 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Sunday, April 26 at 12 PM
Reggie Smith Softball Complex – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
4R = W
This simple equation has been the answer to the Gaels success this year, as Saint Mary's is now 26-0 when scoring at least four runs in a game. This has been due in large part to the outstanding work of the Gael pitching staff, who have put together a staff ERA of 3.68 for the year, and 2.65 in WCC competition. Odhi Vasquez has led this effort, with a 2.27 ERA over 108 innings pitched, leading the WCC with 17 wins, 113 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. Mia Nishikawa, Madeline Haun and Ella Thurman have all also added to the winning equations, combining for 16 additional wins between them. While the pitching has set the tone, the offense has provided the firepower, scoring at least seven runs 17 times this year and logging ten or more hits 14 times (the Gaels are 14-0 in these instances). Seven of the usual nine Gael starters in the batting order have averages over .300, while three (Hannah Ferguson, Braxton Brown and Sam Buckley) boast an OPS greater than 1.000.
ABOUT THE TOREROS
USD enters the week with a 17-25 record, including a 3-6 mark in conference play. Two of their three wins came in their lone home conference series this year, when they shocked LMU, taking two of three. The conference record overall, however, puts the Toreros at the bottom of the WCC standings, five games behind the first place Gaels. Sixth year head coach MJ Knighten became the third coach in USD history to reach triple digit wins this year, and now has a chance for her team to reach their highest win total since 2015 with a strong finish. Fourth year senior Taylor Johnson continues to lead the Torero offense, as she has throughout her USD career, batting .304 this year with 12 doubles, five homers and 20 RBI. Sonoma State transfer Charlie Johnson has held down the ace role for the pitching staff, tossing 105.2 innings and holding a 3.25 ERA in her first year at USD. All-time, the Gaels lead the series against the Toreros, 78-53, including nine wins in their last 10 meetings.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
P/INF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballRHP
/ SoftballP
/ SoftballP/INF
/ SoftballRHP
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Monday, April 20
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Sunday, April 19
SB | Saint Mary's vs. Oregon State Highlights, 4-18-26
Saturday, April 18
SB | Saint Mary's vs. Oregon State Highlights, 4-17-26
Friday, April 17
