Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Softball Top-25 preseason poll, Oregon Tech will look to a veteran outfield for experience and leadership as the 2023 opens up next week.
 
The Lady Owls, coming off a school-record 50-13, return the five players who roamed the grass – including an all-conference performer.
 
"We have a talented outfield with a great combination of power and speed.," Stewart said. "They all have the ability to put up better numbers at the plate than a year ago and I am excited to see them continue to be a force offensively for our program."
 
The group is paced by right fielder Maggie Buckholz, coming off an All-CCC campaign where she hit .338 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 36 RBI. The left-hand hitting senior started 53 games and finished the year with a stellar .454 on-base percentage.
 
In center field, Lexi Klum will cover gap-to-gap, returning after an outstanding final month of the 2022 season. The junior was instrumental in the Lady Owls victories in the Cascade Conference Tournament and the NAIA Opening Round Bracket, hitting safely in 8-of-10 postseason games, including an 8-for-16 clip in the World Series clinching tourney. Klum finished the year with a .310 average, hitting five homers with 21 RBI, while playing outstanding defense.
 
Zoe Allen took over the left field role midway through the 2022 season and ran with it, posting great numbers for a true freshman. The now sophomore hit .330 with 18 RBI, adding 11 stolen bases – going 2-for-3 in the World Series clinching win over Jessup.
 
Both Maddie DeVerna and Jensen Becker will see time in the outfield as both are proven veteran players – combining to play in 292 games, including 129 career starts. DeVerna, a senior, was utilized primarily as a pinch runner and defensive replacement, scoring 19 runs and adding four stolen bases, but had an impressive fall season. Becker hit .297 with 12 extra base hits, adding six stolen bases, as the junior has big game experience.
 
Adding depth to the position is true freshman Malia Mick – the younger sister of shortstop Kaila Mick and daughter of assistant coach Bobby Mick. The Henley High grad earned 4A All-State honors as a senior, leading her club to the state tournament.
 
"We will need our outfielders, who are mostly upperclassmen, to be able to replace and hopefully add to some of the offense we lost due the departure of some of our seniors from last year," Stewart said. "With the talent we have in the outfield, we have a handful of quality options that give us great defense as well as the offense we need to be successful."
 
The Lady Owls will open the season with 10 games on the road – beginning next weekend with a 3-day tour of Arizona. Tech meets OUAZ next Thursday, Arizona Christian next Friday and Embry-Riddle next Saturday to round out the opening series.