Top-10 Recruiting Class Signed by Oregon Softball!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025

OREGON ATHLETICS | @OregonSB

Ducks Land Top 10 Recruiting Class

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon will welcome a top 10 recruiting class to campus next fall.

Head coach Melyssa Lombardi announced the signing of six four-star players Wednesday.

The Ducks’ class was ranked No. 10 nationally by both Softball America and D1 Softball. It is the highest to date for Lombardi, surpassing the 13^th-ranked class of 2023. It is also the third time in the last four years that Oregon signed a top 20 recruiting class.

All six signees received a grade between 91 and 96 from Softball America.

Half of the class was ranked in SA’s top 50 nationally, including infielders Bailey Goldberg (Henderson, Nev.) and Analise DeWitt (Williamsburg, Iowa) at No. 33 and No. 35, respectively. Just behind them was pitcher Piper Cavanaugh (Traverse City, Mich.) at No. 41.

The other four-star student-athletes in the class of 2026 are outfielder Ava Fiumara (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.), pitcher Rylee Ruppel (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and utility player Kylie Tafua (Orange, Calif.)

“We are really excited to sign a recruiting class with exceptional student-athletes from all over the United States and Canada,” said Lombardi. “We look forward to welcoming them and their families into our Duck family.

“The athleticism of these six signees is through the roof,” said Lombardi. “They are strong, athletic and powerful players who can flat-out compete. This class will make a significant impact as freshmen. They are a special group and I know our fans will appreciate their drive to win and compete for championships.”

Piper Cavanaugh, 5-10, RHP (B-L/T-R), Traverse City, Mich. (Traverse City Central High School)

Ranked third nationally overall by Line Drive … Received a four-star, 95 rating from Softball America and was ranked as the No. 41 player overall … Also ranked 11^th nationally among pitchers and is the top recruit from the state of Michigan according to Softball America … Extra Inning Softball tabbed her second nationally among pitchers and first in the Midwest region … A 2025 PGF All-American … An all-region, all-district and all-conference performer for Traverse City Central High School … Was also the Big North Conference freshman of the year in 2023 … Lettered in volleyball for Traverse City … Played club softball for the Birmingham (Alabama) Thunderbolts and traveled to tournaments in Georgia, Florida, California and Colorado … Four-year member of the National Honor Society.

Personal

Born in Stanford, Calif. … Parents are Allison and Sean Cavanaugh … Both parents played varsity sports at Stanford … Mother, formerly Allison Higson, was an All-American on Stanford’s swimming and diving team and set the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke at the 1988 Canadian Olympic Trials … The two-time Olympian competed for Canada in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where she won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay and was fourth in the 100-meter breaststroke, as well as the 1992 Barcelona Games … Father Sean played football at Stanford.

Piper Cavanaugh on Oregon

“I chose the University of Oregon because the coaches are known not only for their deep knowledge of the game, but also for their commitment to developing athletes both on and off the field. The University offers world-class athletic facilities, advanced training programs and a sense of community. Watching Oregon softball has always inspired me and I’ve wanted to be a part of an electric college environment like Oregon since I started playing softball.”

Coach Lombardi on Piper Cavanaugh

“I love Piper’s ability to command the ball in the strike zone with high velo and excellent vertical separation. She has a devastating changeup that complements her incredible movement. Piper is a tough competitor with great composure on the mound. I also like that she’s a two-way player who hits from the left side with power.”

Analise DeWitt, 5-5, INF (B-L/T-R), Williamsburg, Iowa (Williamsburg High School)

A four-star recruit with a 96 rating from Softball America … Is that publication’s No. 16 infielder nationally and is the top recruit from the state of Iowa … Earned a No. 30 national ranking from Line Drive … Top 50 recruit (No. 48) according to Perfect Game … Invited to the Future Stars game and was named to multiple all-tournament teams playing club ball for Iowa Premier … Was recognized as the top 15U performer at the USA Softball HPP National Event … Won the 12U Triple Crown national championship … Was all-state on the track for Williamsburg High School … National Honor Society and Honor Roll member.

Personal

Born in Williamsburg, Iowa … Parents are Misty and Jason DeWitt … Father Jason played baseball in junior college.

Analise DeWitt on Oregon

“After attending my first camp at Oregon, I thought the culture was amazing and I wanted to be a part of it. The University of Oregon prioritizes academics and sets up students-athletes for success after sports.”

Coach Lombardi on Analise DeWitt

“Analise has great energy. When the game is on the line, she wants to be the one. She has a beautiful lefty swing and can hit for a high average. She will continue our tradition of speed on the basepaths and will be a sparkplug for the offense. Analise is someone who elevates those around her and will be a leader for us both on and off the field.”

Ava Fiumara, 5-7, OF (B-R/T-R), Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (Germantown Academy)

The No. 18 player nationally by Extra Inning Softball … A four-star outfielder with a 91 rating from Softball America … Ranked 26^th at her position and third overall in the state of Pennsylvania by Softball America … No. 34 nationally according to Line Drive … An all-Inter Conference team selection as a freshman and sophomore for Germantown Academy … Hit .404 with a 1.327 OPS and a .500 on-base percentage in high school … Club team, NJ Intensity, placed 17^th at the PGF nationals … Was a PGF All-American finalist … In the summer of 2024, had a .401 average and a .696 slugging percentage with eight doubles, seven home runs and 32 RBIs.

Personal

Born in Upper Darby, Pa. … Parents are Brian and Elizabeth Fiumara … Father Brian played baseball at Old Dominion.

Ava Fiumara on Oregon

“I was impressed with everything about the softball program. Great facilities, uniforms, resources, technology, and especially amazing coaches. The athletic department does a great job of making sure student-athletes have everything they need. I was so impressed with the Jaqua Center and the weightroom and treatment facilities. Everything is top notch.”

Coach Lombardi on Ava Fiumara

“Ava is an elite hitter who possesses great strength, hits for power and will be an RBI machine. She’s a mature hitter with an excellent softball IQ and has a great eye at the plate. With her ability to drive the ball, combined with her strong work ethic, Ava will make an instant impact on this program.”

Bailey Goldberg, 5-7, INF (B-R/T-R), Henderson, Nev. (Coronado High School)

Four-star infielder (Softball America) is from the same hometown and high school as Duck Gold Glove winner Paige Sinicki … Ranked 33^rd nationally overall and 14^th among infielders by Softball America … The No. 2 recruit in the state of Nevada … Ranked second in the class of 2026 by Line Drive … A three-time all-state and all-conference selection for Coronado High School … Led Coronado to the 2024 Nevada state championship … As a junior, hit .475 with a .628 on-base percentage and scored 51 runs … Also hit eight home runs and drove in 42 runs … Batted .533 as a sophomore and hit .404 as a freshman … Club team, Athletics Mercado, was the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July National Power Pool champion … Also a two-time all-conference selection in flag football for Coronado … Threw for 4,170 yards and accounted for 75 total touchdowns as a junior … Honor roll member.

Personal

Born in Mountain View, Calif. … Parents are Tara and Steve Goldberg … Father Steve played college baseball at Iowa State and UNLV.

Bailey Goldberg on Oregon

“I was impressed by the amount of support the student-athletes receive. Every student at the University is cared for and has a huge support staff behind them. I was also impressed with the team chemistry the softball team has. It feels like everyone is part of one big family.”

Coach Lombardi on Bailey Goldberg

“Bailey has a chance to be an impact player for years. She has power, speed and a great arm – all the tools to make her an exceptional shortstop. She is one of those players who makes the difficult plays look routine. Bailey embraces the big moments and knows how to clutch up. She is from the same high school as Paige Sinicki and I know our fans are really going to enjoy watching her play.”

Rylee Ruppel, 6-0, RHP (B-R/T-R), Maple Ridge, B.C. (Maple Ridge Secondary School)

Member of the U18 Canadian National Team … Four-star signee with a 91 grade from Softball America … The No. 1-ranked pitcher from British Columbia … Member of the British Columbia team that won the 2025 Canadian Summer Games … Canada Cup Champions … Led Team Canada to a fifth-place finish at the 2024 WBSC U18 Women’s World Cup … Also helped Team Canada win the silver medal at the WBSC Pan Am Championships to qualify for the Women’s World Cup … Playing for White Rock Renegades and FC Select Rico/Brashear in club ball, won a B.C. provincial championship and was the runner-up at the Canadian national championships three times … Will be the Ducks’ first Canadian National Team player since Karissa Hovinga (2012-15).

Personal

Born in Maple Ridge, B.C. … Parents are Michelle and Terry Ruppel.

Rylee Ruppel on Oregon

“I just knew from the start Oregon was my home because of how everyone made me feel. The team had an amazing culture along with great coaches that made me feel at home and the academic programs are all very strong.”

Coach Lombardi on Rylee Ruppel

“I love how Rylee competes on the mound. Representing Canada at the international level has prepared her for success in the college game. She’s got a devastating drop ball and an excellent changeup. Our defense is going to love playing behind her. She’s also got a great swing and could help us at the plate. It’s going to be exciting to have a couple of pitchers who can shut a team down and then turnaround and drive in some runs.”

Kylie Tafua, 5-9, 3B/UTIL (B-R/T-R), Orange, Calif. (El Modena High School)

A four-star, top 100 recruit according to Softball America with a 92 overall grade … Was the all sports rookie of the year for El Modena High School in 2023-24 after earning first team all-Century Conference honors in both softball and flag football … Softball team won the Century Conference and finished as the CIF Division 1 runners-up in 2025 … Was named the team’s defensive player of the year … 2025 El Modena athlete of character award … Won the Colorado Sparkler tournament twice with Athletics Mercado in travel ball … Team won the U16 title in 2024 and the U18 championship in 2025 … 2025 PGF Shootout champions … Played soccer as a freshman … Honor Roll student.

Personal

Born in Newport Beach, Calif. … Parents are Lisa and Steve Tafua … Father Steve played football at Arizona … Many members of her extended family played college softball including Chloe Malau’ulu (Mississippi State), Thessa Malau’ulu (UCLA/Duke) and Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma).

Kylie Tafua on Oregon

“The softball program impressed me most with its strong family culture. The team spends a lot of time together both on and off the field, creating bonds that go far beyond softball. The coaches are amazing. They know how to challenge us to be our very best, but also when to show support and compassion. I also love how much technology the program uses to help players improve their swings, fielding, and throwing. On top of that, the athletic department as a whole is filled with pride and dedication. The way the players, coaches, and fans all come together makes it feel like home.”

Coach Lombardi on Kylie Tafua

“Kylie has power and can change the game with one swing. I’m excited to watch her production at the plate. She has grown up around family members who have played at the highest level and understands what it takes to be elite. I admire her drive, passion and love for the game. She is a tough, gritty player who lives for big moments.”