SB | Buckley and Vasquez Headline Group of Eight Gaels Honored as All-Conference Selectees

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — The back-to-back WCC Champs once again were well represented on the end-of-year all-conference list, as eight Saint Mary’s Gaels were honored with an all-conference nod, including six receiving first or second team honors. This is the second most ever by the Gaels split between first and second team, with seven honored here a year ago. 

For the second straight year, Sam Buckley was named a first team All-WCC honoree. The sophomore out of Burbank led the WCC in home runs (14), RBI (41), slugging percentage (0.818) and on-base percentage (0.523), while finished top-three in the conference in batting average (0.402), doubles (11) and runs scored (47). She set the Saint Mary’s single season records for home runs, RBI and runs scored this year, and finished out the year with the fourth highest single season batting average in program history.  While her offensive numbers were incredible, Buckley was also one of the unsung defensive heroes for the Gaels, committing just two errors all season at the hot corner. Her career average climbed to 0.380 this year, currently sitting at the best of any student-athlete ever to suit up as a Gael, while she ranks in the top-10 in total runs scored (84) and the top-five in triples (8) and home runs (18) for her career. Buckley was a three time WCC Player of the Week of winner, tied for the most of any player in the conference. 

A two time second team All-WCC performer, Odhi Vasquez earned her first first team nod after once again serving as the Gaels ace. The junior out of Upland led the WCC in wins (13), shutouts (4), and opponents batting average (0.204), while ranking second in ERA (2.59) and strikeouts (129). Vaquez etched her name into the history books, with the fifth most shutouts, seventh most strikeouts and eighth most wins of any Gael in a single season. For her career, Vasquez has now earned 31 wins (9th in program history) and 10 shutouts (5th in program history), while working 358.2 innings (10th in program history), striking out 320 (6th in program history and amassing a career 2.73 ERA (7th in program history). A four time WCC Pitcher of the Week this year, Vasquez won this honor more than any other pitcher in the conference. 

Four Gaels earned second team honors; Victoria Castillo, Tori Cervantes, Camille Lara and Mia Nishikawa. Castillo is a first time honoree after hitting a career-best 0.337 this year, good for second on the team and ninth in the conference. Cervantes, also a first time honoree, boasted a career-best 0.315 average, while scoring 37 times (7th in the WCC), homering seven times (6th in the WCC) and stealing a team-high 12 bases (5th in the WCC). A first time All-WCC honoree, Lara led the Gaels with 54 hits, good for fifth in the conference, while slashing at 0.323. Rounding out the group of second team honorees, Mia Nishikawa earned her second second team nod in as many years, after finishing top five in the conference for ERA (3.14), wins (10), complete games (8) and shutouts (2). 

Catcher Jenavee Amador earned her second straight honorable mention nod, after finishing second on the team and sixth in the conference with 34 RBI. After starting every single game of her freshman campaign at shortstop, Mia Zabat was named to the WCC All-Freshman team. 

The Gaels finished their year at 28-23, with an 11-4 conference record, good for a share of the 2025 WCC Title. The 58 wins over the last two seasons mark the most ever over a two year stretch in program history. 

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