Oregon softball welcomes 2-time national champ to coaching staff

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Ducks are adding some star power to the softball program after hiring two-time national champion and four-time All-American Paige Parker as their new Director of Player Development.

Current head coach of the Oregon softball program Mellissa Lombardi was Parker’s pitching coach during her time at Oklahoma (2015-18) where she won Big 12 Pitcher of the Year four years in a row. She also was a member of the 2016 and 2017 national championship teams as well as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2016 WCWS. She made the WCWS All-Tournament Team in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Lombardi said of the new addition, “Her ability to translate numbers into actionable development plans and in-game strategy will elevate the way we prepare, compete, and grow as a program. Paige will be an incredible asset for Oregon softball.”

She joins Oregon after spending the last four seasons (2022-25) as Utah’s associate head coach. During her first season with the Utes, the team decreased their ERA by three runs and their top pitcher Mariah Lopez won a spot on the all-conference team.

The following year, Utah achieved its lowest ERA (2.86) since 2016 after making a run to the Women’s College World Series. Under Parker’s leadership, Lopez had 225 strikeouts which put her in the top 20 nationally, earning first-team all-Pac-12, and all-region honors.