After its first Women’s College World Series since Melyssa Lombardi took over the Oregon program, the Ducks made a huge splash in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Maya Matthies, a five-star corner infielder and the ninth-overall recruit in Softball America’s 2027 Recruiting Rankings, announced her verbal to Oregon on Monday.
“I had great meetings with amazing coaches and I feel blessed. Ultimately, Oregon is just the best fit for me and the goals I have set for myself,” Matthies said. “The coaches will continue to push me and support me on the field and in the classroom. I felt instantly like I was part of the team, and could feel that team-first dynamic. I connected with these coaches years ago and feel they’ve been silently coaching me along the way. Back in 2024 at camp with Coach Lombardi, I remember her talking to our group, and she told us she believed in us to win it all, and that summer we won a national championship.
“I almost didn’t attend (Hitting) Coach (Sam) Marder’s hitting clinic last year due to it being on the day of our flag football CIF championship. But after we won I headed to the facility with the trophy and got my reps. She was also there to see our high school softball team win the State Regional Championship this year.”…