Ducks Add Transfer Catcher Karissa Ornelas

EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi announced another addition to the program Tuesday, adding transfer catcher Karissa Ornelas, who spent three seasons behind the plate at UCF.
 
"I like the experience that Karissa brings to our team," said Lombardi. "As a catcher she's a great communicator and will bring out the best in our staff. I also like the power she provides at the plate. I am thrilled that Karissa is a Duck and can't wait to get started."
 
Ornelas earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors as a junior in 2021, and owns a career .314 batting average with six homers, 51 RBIs and 14 doubles. She comes to Eugene with 103 career starts under her belt in 118 games played with a .387 on-base percentage and 36 walks.
 
The Murrieta, Calif., native hit .299 as a junior and finished with five homers and 20 RBIs while ending the year second in the conference with 10 runners caught stealing. Ornelas saw action in 51 games, starting 49 behind the plate. She delivered a walk-off homer against No. 5 Florida on March 24, giving the Knights a signature win on the way to making it to the NCAA Tallahassee Regional final.
 
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Ornelas was second on the team with a .387 batting average while adding four doubles, a home run and 18 RBIs. She played in 26 games, starting 24, for a UCF team that finished the year ranked No. 21 in the NFCA Poll after going 21-5-1. Ornelas saw action in 41 games with 30 starts as a freshman in 2019, hitting .284 with four doubles and 13 RBIs while going error-free in 34 chances defensively.