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Oregon Softball: Lombardi Will Challenge Ducks Often In 2019

By Justin Phillips

Oregon Ducks Softball at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, OregonJustin Phillips/KPNW Sports
Oregon Ducks Softball at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, OregonJustin Phillips/KPNW Sports /
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Oregon Softball will look to continue to challenge themselves against the best during the 2019 season. Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi announced the 2019 schedule Friday.

The season again begins with tournaments throughout the country including the Kajikawa Classic, the inaugural St Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational, and the Mary Nutter Classic. Oregon will face 16 NCAA Tournament teams that include nine teams that qualified for the NCAA Super Regional Round from a season ago. While Texas is not on the schedule, Oregon could see several former players in Oklahoma City this season, if they get that far.

The Oregon Ducks will have the chance to show early if they can compete. The Ducks will host Oklahoma State March 8th and 9th for a three-game series. The Ducks non-conference slate features games against Kentucky, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and a series against Pittsburgh and the annual matchup against Portland State for two games.

Oregon Softball lost two key players to transfer earlier this month with the departures of Pitcher Miranda Elish along with Eugene Native Lauren Burke. Both followed former Head Coach Mike White and will be eligible to play for the Texas Longhorns this season. Oregon and Texas will not meet during the regular season but could see one another in the Postseason.

Aside from the non-conference schedule, Oregon Softball will also face a challenge during Pac-12 play. The Ducks will open Conference play on the road at Arizona before hosting Washington for three games early in the season. Oregon then travels to Stanford and UCLA before hosting Cal and Oregon State on back to back weekends. The team closes out the season visiting Utah and then returns home to host Arizona State before potentially hosting in the NCAA Tournament the following weekend.

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Oregon Softball will see their first game at Jane Sanders Stadium hosting Oklahoma State in a three-game series starting on March 8th. Washington visits for three games starting on March 23rd.