Big-Pitch Freshman RHP with Elite Strikeout Ability and Shamrock Award Pedigree
Sam Kretsch, a 6'4" right-handed pitcher for Saint Mary's Gaels, delivered a standout 2025 freshman season with 20 appearances, 4 starts, a 3-2 record, and a 5.89 ERA over 36.2 innings, while striking out the side in order against Gonzaga in May 2026—a rare display of dominance that highlights his ability to fill the zone and generate elite swing-and-miss stuff up to 88 MPH. His intensity and big-game composure earned him the 2026 Shamrock Student-Athlete of the Week after securing two saves and a win in a single week, signaling a high ceiling for teams seeking a reliable, Bay Area-native reliever with proven WCC toughness and a track record of stepping up when stakes are highest.
