By Tayten Torgrimson

EUGENE, Ore. – Spring sports are finally among us once again, and the Oregon softball program gears up for year six under head coach Melyssa Lombardi. The program is coming off a 38-17 record with its first NCAA Super Regional appearance since 2018 last season, which ended in a series loss to Oklahoma State. Oregon looks to make another deep run in the Women’s College World Series.

Oregon finished fifth in the Pac-12 conference with a 14-10 record. This season, the Pac-12 is stacked. Stanford, UCLA and Washington ranked ahead of the Ducks in preseason polls. Oregon makes pit stops in Clearwater, Florida, San Diego, California and Cathedral City, California. It won’t return to Eugene for a series till Feb. 29.

Oregon returns nine starters, including six freshmen and five transfers. Kaila Pollard, who transferred from Florida will have to sit out this season and will be eligible to play in 2025. Players to keep an eye on are right-handed ace Stevie Hansen, infielder Paige Sinicki, outfielder Ariel Carlson and catcher Emma Kauf.

Coach Lombardi is under contract through June 2025. With her track record, Oregon fans should have nothing to worry about with Lombardi departing. Former Ducks Terra McGowan and Katelyn Howard joined the staff. Both played last season.

In the fall, Oregon played a total of eight exhibition games against Corban University, Boise State, Western Washington, Oregon Tech, College of the Siskiyous, Southern Oregon and Mount Hood Community College. On the schedule for the 2024 season are 20 NCAA tournament teams and four of the eight teams that played in the WCWS.

I think with the amount of talent on the roster and preseason hype, this squad will exceed the result of last year and make the WCWS. The keys to reaching that are starting strong and placing amongst the top of the Pac-12. Oregon will have to win both home and away series against top teams in the conference. This team’s grit will be put on display early, facing 11 teams that were in the NCAA tournament before conference play. This team is like last season’s. With the returners’ leadership and the skill of incomers, Oregon has a chance to make a legitimate run toward the WCWS. I predict the Ducks will win over 35 games, not missing a beat from last season. The season starts Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. against the Indiana Hoosiers.