LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Oregon’s softball staff, led by coach Melyssa Lombardi, has been selected as the ATEC/NFCA Pacific Region Staff of the Year the NFCA announced on Monday.
It is the first time the Ducks have received the regional award during Lombardi’s tenure. Oregon last won that honor in 2018.
The 2024 team went 31-20 overall and 13-10 in the Pac-12, tying for third with Washington. The Ducks earned the No. 3 seed to the conference tournament by winning the series against the Huskies for the first time since 2018.
Oregon advanced to its fourth straight NCAA Regional final under Lombardi in 2024, falling to eventual national champion Oklahoma in two tightly contested games, 6-3 and 3-2.
The Ducks walked the fewest batters in the Pac-12 in 2024, 104. Oregon also led the league in stolen bases with 90. Additionally, the Ducks were third in doubles (78) and fourth in batting average (.308), runs per game (5.53), triples (11), WHIP (1.34) and fielding percentage (.974).
The program produced its first-ever Gold Glove Award winner in shortstop Paige Sinicki. Oregon had seven Ducks on the NFCA All-Pacific Region teams – Kai Luschar (first), Ariel Carlson (second), Alyssa Daniell (second), Sinicki (second), Morgan Scott (second), Hanna Delgado (third) and Vallery Wong (third).
Sinicki was also the Pac-12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while Carlson, Daniell, Delgado, Luschar and Elise Sokolsky were named to the All-Pac-12 teams and Katie Flannery and Taylour Spencer were selected for the Pac-12 all-freshman team.
Lombardi’s staff includes third-year associate head coach Sam Marder and assistant coaches Sydney Romero (first year) and Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza (third season).
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