With Oregon playing in the Norman Regional of the 2024 NCAA softball tournament, it marked a return of an integral figure in the growth of Oklahoma softball: Ducks head coach Melyssa Lombardi.
Prior to taking over as the head coach in Eugene in July of 2018, Lombardi spent 21 years as a chief consigliere to Sooners head coach Patty Gasso, including 11 seasons as associate head coach. And speaking with the ESPN crew ahead of the top of the 4th inning with a 2-1 lead over Oregon, Gasso reflected on Lombardi coming back to Norman.
Plus, Lombardi’s staff features another former Sooner star, Sydney Romero.
“It’s always great to see her, but I haven’t seen her in Norman since she left, so to be able to show her and Syd Romero this new stadium — Melyssa been by my side for 20 years so it’s a big deal for me, it’s a big deal for her,” Gasso said. “So it’s a good connection and I’m just, I think it’s awesome that we’re both still coaching. Especially me. It was a good moment for us.”
The Sooners held a 2-1 lead in the winners bracket matchup largely because starting pitcher Kelly Maxwell was cruising along.
“Working ahead in the count, coming back when she’s behind in the count, getting ground balls and fly balls that we can make plays on,” Gasso said of Maxwell before she produced a 1-2-3 4th inning.
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