Softball Signs No. 13 Class Nationally

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi has signed the nation's No. 13 recruiting class, as selected by Extra Inning Softball, with the signing of six student-athletes to the class of 2023.
 
Signing a National Letter of Intent with the Ducks on Wednesday were infielders Katie Flannery (Birmingham, Ala.) and Abby Steffen (Chula Vista, Calif.), outfielders Regan Legg (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) and Ayanna Shaw (Lemon Grove, Calif.), pitcher Taylour Spencer (Murrieta, Calif.) and catcher/utility player Braiesey Rosa (Waianae, Hawaii).
 
The class includes three players ranked among Extra Inning Softball's top 100 as well as two of the top 100 players in the state of California, according to MaxPreps.
 
"This is a class of fierce competitors who love to play the game at the highest level," said Lombardi. "In this group, you will see power at the plate, speed, athleticism and power pitching on the mound.
 
"One of the things I really I love about this group is their collective desire to be great. Their hunger to be successful is undeniable. Our staff is very excited to welcome them to the family and get to work with them next fall."
 
Katie Flannery, INF (B-R/T-R), Birmingham, Ala. (Spain Park HS)
Flannery has been one of the top players nationally throughout her high school career. Extra Inning Softball currently has Flannery ranked No. 8 overall nationally and is the highest rated player at third base; that publication ranked her 12th overall in 2021 and eighth in 2020. Softball America lists Flannery as the No. 24 player nationally. Additionally, she was a Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American and a member of the 2022 PGF championship team. She also played on the winning team at the 2021 PGF Futures Game. Flannery was named the Over the Mountain Journal's player of the year in 2022 after hitting .451 with a .541 on-base percentage, a .778 slugging percentage and an eye-popping 1.381 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) for Spain Park High School. She also had 24 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs, 11 doubles and three triples, 50 runs batted in and 49 runs scored. Flannery struck out only seven times in 173 plate appearances. Spain Park went 33-15-2 in 2022 and finished fifth in the Class 7A state softball tournament and Flannery was named to the all-tournament team. She was selected to play in the Alabama High School Athletic Association 2022 North-South Softball All-Star game and was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state first team. She hit .500 (11-for-22) with three home runs and three doubles in 2020 as Spain Park was undefeated (21-0) and was ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 4 in the country when the season was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In club ball, Flannery hit over .400 and led the Birmingham Thunderbolts 04 in home runs in the fall of 2021.
 
Katie Flannery on Oregon
"Oregon felt like home away from home. The coaching staff made personal relationships with me throughout recruiting. I love the family culture within the team and campus life too. It was truly everything I was looking for."
 
Coach Lombardi on Katie Flannery
"Katie's a driven athlete and winner. Her bulldog mentality allows her to play the hot corner. She's an explosive hitter at the plate, and thrives in pressure situations. Katie has already won a national championship at the club level and I'm excited for her to bring that experience to Eugene.
 
Regan Legg, OF (B-R/T-R), Ladera Ranch, Calif. (San Juan Hills HS)
Legg is ranked No. 91 nationally by Extra Inning Softball. She was a finalist for the 2022 Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Futures Game. The four-year starter for San Juan Hills High School was a second team all-league selection as a sophomore and received the coach's award as a junior. In club ball with BSC Bengals, Legg won the 2022 TC Brashear Summer Invitational and was the runner-up at the 2022 TC Nationals. BSC Bengals also finished second at the 2021 Surf City September Start-Up. Legg also lettered in track for San Juan Hills and was a member of the league champion 4x100 meter relay team. She was also third in the league at 100 meters. Off the field, Legg volunteers with the National Charity League, a mother-daughter philanthropic organization.
 
Regan Legg on Oregon
"I love the coaching staff and the positive tone they set for the softball program. The coaching staff was the biggest reason I chose Oregon. The facilities are also second to none. I love the University's support for student-athletes, and I think that playing softball at Oregon will allow me to become the best athlete I can be."
 
Coach Lombardi on Regan Legg
"From the first time I saw her play, Regan's speed and athleticism caught my attention. She covers a ton of ground and makes excellent decisions in the outfield. Like her teammates, she has the ability to hit for high average and take extra bases. Her versatility is incredibly impressive."
 
Braiesey Rosa, C/UTIL (B-R/T-R), Waianae, Hawaii (Waianae HS)
Rosa is ranked 23rd in Extra Inning Softball's Top 100. She was an all-OIA Western Division honorable mention selection for Waianae High School in 2022. Rosa played for Firecrackers Brashear in club ball. She was selected for Team Polynesia's 18U All-Star team in 2021 and 2022. She won the Triple Crown Softball International Challenge with Polynesia in 2022, defeating Team USA 10-2 in the final. As a member of Team Hawaii Mutants, she won the USA Softball Hawaii state championship. Rosa is a Dean's List and honor roll member who won Waianae High's 2021 impact player award.
 
Braiesey Rosa on Oregon
"What impressed me the most about the softball program and athletic department was the coaching staff, players, and the athletic facilities, especially The Jane."
 
Coach Lombardi on Braiesey Rosa
"Braiesey's an excellent receiver behind the plate, with a strong arm and quick release. She thrives at throwing out runners, but also has the ability to pickoff runners in tight situations. Offensively, she also adds another powerful bat to our lineup. Look for her to be a big part of our battery next year."
 
Ayanna Shaw, OF (B-L/T-L) Lemon Grove, Calif. (Mater Dei Catholic HS)
A 2022 All-CIF first team selection, Shaw led Mater Dei Catholic High School to back-to-back CIF championships and a Division II state title. She is currently ranked as the No. 58 overall player in the state of California by MaxPreps. The 2022 Mesa League player of the year and first-team all-league selection helped Mater Dei win the 2021 Open Division CIF championship, the 2022 Division I CIF title and the 2022 California Division II state championship. The team MVP and team captain led Mater Dei in all offensive categories in 2022. Shaw hit .524 with 54 hits, 10 triples, 48 runs and 22 stolen bases. In her first three years at Mater Dei, she has a .468 average with 101 hits, 77 runs, 14 triples and 41 stolen bases. Additionally, she has committed just three errors in high school for a .971 career fielding percentage. Shaw's club team, the Corona Angels placed third at the 2021 Alliance Championship. Shaw is a National Honor Society member whose mother, Tamara, played softball at San Diego State.
 
Ayanna Shaw on Oregon
"I chose the University of Oregon because I felt like I would have the best resources to excel both athletically and academically with the help of a great community. What impressed me the most about the University of Oregon is the school spirit and the athletic facilities."
 
Coach Lombardi on Ayanna Shaw
"Ayanna is an intense competitor and an elite athlete. She has excellent range in the outfield and a cannon for an arm. At the plate, she's a true triple threat with elite speed and the ability to hit for average and power."
 
Taylour Spencer, RHP (B-L/T-R), Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta HS)
Spencer was named a first team all-league pitcher and was the strikeout leader for Vista Murrieta High School. Her club team, the Corona Angels, has posted a top-five finish at the national tournament each of the last three years. She was named the PCFL player of the month during the 2020-21 season and was on the all-tournament first team. In the classroom, Spencer is a four-time academic scholar.
 
Taylour Spencer on Oregon
"What impressed me the most about the softball program was their drive and dedication every day both at school and softball. They continue to show that they love the grind and the game and want to work hard for all of their teammates. What impressed me about the athletic department was how detail-orientated they are to all the different sports and I loved all of the different tools that they use to help get all the athletes better."
 
Coach Lombardi on Taylour Spencer
Taylour's a power pitcher with great movement. Her love for the game shines through with the electric energy she exudes on the mound. She's a proven winner and is on a mission to be the best."
 
Abby Steffen, INF (B-R/T-R), Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake HS)
Steffen is the No. 68 player overall in the state of California according to MaxPreps. She is a two-time all-league performer for Eastlake High School. Steffen led the league in home runs as a junior when Eastlake advanced to the CIF Division I semifinals. She played club ball with Firecrackers MG Mata for three years and Powersurge Walling 18u Gold for one year. Her club accomplishments included a Colorado Sparkler top 10 finish and a TCS Gold bracket championship. Prior to softball, Steffen began her athletic career playing Little League baseball and was the first female selected as a major division all-star in the Sweetwater's Valley Little League in 2018. Steffen was also a four-year scholar-athlete in high school.
 
Abby Steffen on Oregon
"I loved the culture and energy especially in relation to athletics. The facilities are incredible and I was completely mesmerized with the scenery and weather in Oregon. From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was the place for me."
 
Coach Lombardi on Abby Steffen
"The first thing you'll notice about Abby is her stature. She brings a strong presence and physicality to our roster. She is a true utility in the infield. Her defense is fluid and looks effortless. She has a powerful swing that I expect will drive in a lot of runs for the Ducks."
 
- www.GoDucks.com -