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Funny–and happily–how things can change within a matter of days.

Following practice on a Thursday afternoon the last week of April, Saint Mary's sophomore infielder Sam Buckley was asked what she'll remember most ten to 20 years from now about her record-breaking 2025 season. One of her two responses, naturally, was her 13th home run of the year, a solo shot to right-center in the Gaels' 7–3 win at Oregon State on April 27. That gave Buckley sole possession of the program record for homers in a season; Sarah Lira hit 12 in 2015.

"It kind of hit me when everyone was" at the plate ready to celebrate with her, Buckley said. "Everyone was excited for me. I was kind of like, 'Wait, I did just break the record. That's pretty cool.'"

That undoubtedly was cool. But on Sunday, May 4, Buckley did something that very well might rank as even cooler. With the Gaels down 2–1 to San Diego with two outs and a runner at second in the seventh inning, Buckley launched a 2–2 pitch over the right-field wall, giving Saint Mary's a 3–2 thriller.

It came on the final pitch of the Gaels' home schedule and it moved Saint Mary's (26–22, 9–3) into a tie with Santa Clara atop the WCC standings with three games remaining.

And Buckley referred to the conference race when she finished answering what she expects to remember most about this season: "Hopefully winning the WCC again."

Sharpening the Tools

The Gaels did win the conference title last season, and Buckley was named the WCC Freshman of the Year as she hit .359 with four homers, 33 RBIs, and a .634 slugging percentage. Through Sunday, her numbers for 2025: .415, 14 HRs, 40 RBIs (another program record), and an .862 slugging percentage.

Buckley credits much of her improvement to first-year hitting coach Frankie Hammoude. Buckley mentioned specifically how Hammoude helped her close her stance, which likely has led to the eye-popping power numbers.

For her part, Hammoude appreciates that Buckley accepted the tweaks to her stance and the like, particularly after she had enjoyed so much success as a freshman. "The biggest part is that she was open to learn and get better," Hammoude said. "Truly, that is step one with all athletes: Are they going to buy into what you have to say? And Sam definitely did that.

“What we did was really small. She had all the tools already. I was just here to kind of sharpen them."

They've been sharpened enough for Buckley to hit three homers in a 15-9 win at Idaho State on March 21. Her career batting average of .386 is the best in program history (minimum of 250 at-bats); Trisha Dean hit .364 from 1996 through 2000.

Buckley has thrived at the plate even though—or perhaps because—she has maintained a selective approach. She leads the Gaels in walks (21) and hit by pitches (12), helping her to a ridiculously good on-base percentage of .528.

"That, to me, is the most impressive stat," Head Coach Sonja Garnett said. "That no matter what she's going through, she can remain steady and reliable in her pitch selection."

Chasing the Title

Buckley began her Saint Mary's career playing third base, then switched to shortstop late last season. She opened this season playing second base, then moved back to third. Garnett said Buckley "has become undeniable at third base. She's fast to the bunt. … She's got quick reflexes for balls that come hard down the line. She's got a cannon of an arm."

Buckley said third is her favorite position because "you don't have a lot of time to think. It's all reaction time. Then you have a lot of time to throw the ball."

There's not a lot of time left in this season. The Gaels begin a three-game series at LMU (21–29, 6–6) on Friday, May 9. The Santa Clara Broncos (30–19, 9–3) open a three-game series at Oregon State (23–21, 6–6) on Friday. 

Barring sweeps by the Lions and Beavers that would create a four-way tie, if SMC and Santa Clara finish tied, the teams would be declared co-champions, but Santa Clara would get the bid to a regional because the Broncos took two of three in Moraga last month.  

No matter what happens this weekend, Buckley will savor this season, not only for her personal success but also because she has gotten to share it with teammates and friends such as Chelsea Bennett (Buckley's roommate), Lindsay Cabral, Tori Cervantes, and Taylor Lane.

The focus soon will switch to the 2026 season. If Buckley bettered her WCC Freshman of the Year season so dramatically in 2025, how good can she be in ’26? Hammoude suggested Buckley could hit as many as 30 homers next season.

"It's a matter of, one, are they going to pitch to her?" Hammoude said, adding that she would tell Buckley: "'You're not expected to do anything. I'm not going to hold you to a crazy standard just because, but you are very capable of doing this.' So, I'm just going to try to instill that confidence in her."

Said Buckley: "I'm just trying to enjoy the moment now and think about the future later. I'll keep doing the same things. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work, but I think I'll be fine."

Steve Kroner has covered Bay Area sports for more than four decades, mainly for KPIX-TV and the San Francisco Chronicle. He has begun working alongside Brian Brownfield on Gaels Men's Basketball telecasts on ESPN+.