Oregon Ducks Softball: NCAA Tournament Defeat Ends UO Career For Nine Seniors

Oregon's Loss to Oklahoma in the Norman Regional marked the end of collegiate careers for nine seniors.

Oregon's Ariel Carlson (3) and Alyssa Daniell (10) hug following the NCAA Norman Regional tournament / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

EUGENE- The University of Oregon's softball team's NCAA tournament run came to an end Sunday. The Ducks faced the Oklahoma Sooners in the Norman regional finals, where they lost to the three-time national champions, 3-2.

"Any time you're in a game like this, it's going to be tough — we're gonna throw punches, they're gonna throw punches and it's about just staying in it, staying in it. We always talk about that it doesn't have to look a certain way. It's just the ability to fight and persevere and stick together and go get what we want, and you could really see that from our group today."  

- Melyssa Lombardi

The Ducks finished with a 2-2 record in the Norman Regional, with a win over Boston University on Friday, a loss to the Sooners, and a win over the Terriers in an elimination game Saturday night. The Ducks again lost to Oklahoma on Sunday, marking the end of the season.   

This loss not only concluded Oregon's season but also marked the final chapter in the collegiate careers of nine Oregon seniors. These nine seniors helped lead the Ducks to a 30-21 record, reaching an NCAA Regional final for the fourth year in a row. Their dedication and talent helped establish Oregon as a consistent contender on the national stage.  Read below for a list of Oregon's seniors.

---

1. Ariel Carlson (OF)- 5th Year Senior:

Oregon’s Ariel Carlson, right, celebrates her second of two home runs against Oregon State at Jane / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

Eugene native Ariel Carlson finished her memorable collegiate career at Oregon with a stellar senior season. Carlson hit a team-high 15 home runs, ranking third in the Pac-12. Carlson also had a program first 15 steals. She is the first in program history to post a 15 home run/15 steal season. She finished her career with a .61 slugging percentage and ranks fourth in program history with 43 career home runs and sixth with 156 RBI. She ended her career with All-Pac-12 First Team honors and NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team recognition. Carlson will return next season as the Director of Player Development and Analytics.  

"I grew up going to games at Oregon, and it's always been a dream of mine to play here...Wearing this jersey is so special, and I'm so proud of the direction this program is going. Playing for this staff and with these girls, it's been amazing. I couldn't ask for a better team or a better program."

- Ariel Carlson

2. Alyssa Daniel (INF)- Senior:

Oregon's Alyssa Daniell (10) steps up to bat during their game at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic / Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY

First baseman Alyssa Daniel capped off her senior season with various achievements. Daniel earned All-Conference recognition on the NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team and the All-Pac-12 Third Team. Daniel was Second on the team in home runs (10), RBI (38), total bases (90), and slugging percentage (.629). She also Led the team and was fourth in the conference in sacrifice flies with five.

3. Raegan Breedlove (RHP)- Senior:

Oregon's Raegan Breedlove pitches against Utah Sunday, May 7, 2023. / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

Breedlove pitched 23.1 innings throughout the 2024 season. As a junior in 2023, she ranked second in the Pac-12 with 21 appearances. Breedlove also contributed to the team's success with a 4-3 record and three saves. The pitcher was among the conference's best relievers in 2023, placing 10th in the Pac-12 with a 2.81 ERA. She also ranked sixth in the conference for saves. Breedlove has career highs in games played (31), starts (10), strikeouts (29), and innings pitched (67.1). 

4. KK Humphreys (INF)- Senior:

Oregon infielder KK Humphreys runs back to the dugout after an out as the Oregon Ducks fell to UCLA / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

The Cal State Fullerton Transfer joined the Ducks as a sophomore in 2022. In her senior season, Humphreys scored 25 RBI, scored26, and hit six home runs. She has a career slugging percentage of 48.6 percent. As a Junior in 2023, Humphreys was one of three ducks to start all 55 games. She was a perfect 14-14 on stolen base attempts, the fourth most in the Pac-12.

5. Morgan Scott (RHP)- 5th year Senior

Oregon players celebrate after crowning pitch Morgan Scott for closing out the game against Oregon / Chris Pietsch/The Register Guard / USA

A dominant force in her fifth year (2024), Scott earned NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team honors. She compiled a 9-8 record with a 3.45 ERA and led the Pac-12 with five saves. Scott pitched 54 strikeouts and a conference-best 1.66 walks per seven innings. Beyond the Pac-12, she ranks among the NCAA's top five active leaders in saves (14), appearances (157), and innings pitched (752.1). 

6. Hanna Delgado (OF)- Senior:

Oregon outfielder Hanna Delgado hits a single as the Oregon Ducks fell to UCLA 7-4 Saturday, March / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

Despite her career-ending injury, outfielder Hanna Delgado earned NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team honors and third team Pac-12 honors, becoming just the third Duck position player to be a four-time all-conference selection. Delgado was hitting a career-best .374 before her injury ended her season.  She also had a 47 percent on-base percentage (seventh in the Pac-12) and was 10th in the Pac-12 in both doubles (10) and batting average. Delgado also had a perfect fielding record with No errors in 50 chances.  

7. Emma Kauf (C)- 5th year Senior

Oregon State’s Kiki Escobar, right, dive for home ahead of the throw to Oregon’s Emma Kauf during / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

The Catcher transfer from Georgia Tech Joined coach Melyssa Lombardi's program for her final collegiate season in 2024. During her first and final season as a duck, Kauf recorded 132 put-outs, fielding at 98 percent from behind the plate. Prior to Oregon, Kauf was named a three-time all-ACC selection at catcher for Georgia Tech while also being named a 2022 NFCA Southeast All-Regional second-team honoree.

8. Tehya Bird (INF)- Senior

Oregon s Paige Sinicki, left, Tehya Bird and pitcher Stevie Hansen celebrate after holding off / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

The 2023 CSC District 8 All-Academic significantly impacted Oregon's program. During her collegiate career, Bird hit 14 home runs and had 60 RBIs. As a Junior, Bird Took over at third base and played in 54 games, starting 52. She Hit .286 on the season with six doubles and eight home runs. Bird was fourth on the team with 35 RBI.

"I've been going to Oregon camp since I was nine years old, so Oregon means everything to me...It was the only school I've ever wanted to go to, and as soon as I got that offer, there was no place else. When coach Lombardi came in as coach, and I was already committed, I knew that I was going to stay a Duck no matter who was there, and it just made it so special that coach Lombardi was there for us. So Oregon means everything to me and I'll be a Duck for life."

- Tehya Bird

9. Vallery Wong (C/UTL)- 5th Year Senior

Oregon players celebrate a home run by Oregon catcher Vallery Wong as the Oregon Ducks host / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

Wong, who played for the Ducks all five years, was named to the NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team following her performance this season. She batted a stellar .292 (second-best on the team) and ranked 10th in the Pac-12 with ten doubles. Her season included six home runs and a team-leading 31 RBIs. Defensively, Wong played catcher, right field, and designated player throughout the season. She also set new career highs in runs (20), hits (40), doubles, RBI, and batting average.

READ: Dan Lanning's Intense Oregon Football Practices, Like 'National Championship Game'

READ: Oregon Ducks Baseball: "We're Going To Win That Tournament"

READ: Oregon Basketball's Payton Pritchard Reveals Motivation: Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs

READ: Oregon Football's Bo Nix Learning From Tom Brady, Jay Z