More is different than is the same for Oregon softball as it opened practice for the 2019 season on Tuesday. The program began preparation in earnest with a different skipper fielding questions from reporters and with numerous familiar faces gone replaced by new ones.

The Missy Lombardi era at Oregon will officially get underway on Feb. 8. But the lead-up to her first games in Eugene has been anything but a breeze. Since replacing beloved head coach Mike White, who took the same post at Texas this summer, Lombardi has seen her tenure ushered in by the ushering out of six of the team's expected star players. The list includes all-American pitchers Megan Kleist and Miranda Elish, along with all-conference bats Shannon Rhodes and Mary Iakopo.

The roster is currently comprised of 17 players: eight returners, five true freshmen, three incoming transfers and one local walk-on added in the past week. Admittedly the roster is smaller than Lombardi would like, but the Ducks will have to roll on as is from here, she told reporters on Tuesday.

“We’re a couple shy," she said. "We’d like to stay around the 20 or 21 mark. What I like is that this team is very versatile. We have athletes on this team that can play different positions. Even if with our squad being a tad smaller, I’m still very confident in what we have."

The turnover of the past six months has been immense. After seeing a talented four-player senior class depart, the Ducks watched six more players of similar caliber follow them out. Losing six players with remaining eligibility is almost unprecedented, and is the culmination of numerous factors Lombardi said. She did point to a new NCAA rule change, which allows players to transfer and play immediately, as a chief reason for the departures.

“I think with the new NCAA [transfer] portal, it just gives more opportunity quicker than it did before," she said. "I’ve said it before, but I didn’t want to see anybody leave, but I support those athletes. If they felt they needed to be somewhere else, then I’m going to support them in their decisions. I’m thrilled about the athletes we have here.

“We had some struggles in the fall. Everybody knows that. It’s been tough dealing with all of this, but I thought they did a great job of sticking together. The veterans did a great job of leading the young ones and the new ones. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do this season."

Junior outfield Haley Cruse will be asked to carry a bigger leadership role this season. Last year's team-leader in batting average, Cruse believes familiarity with White played a crucial role as well. After all, four of the six are now playing for him at Texas.

“Everyone handles change differently," she said. "They were used to one style of coaching and playing. They liked that style and they wanted to stick with it. Everyone here respects and supports their decision.

“It was definitely hard to see so many of our teammates leave. But everyone who’s here wants to be here now. Even though it is difficult losing a lot of teammates, we need to makes sure that we rally together and keep moving forward."

According to Lombardi the expectations for the 2019 season have not changed despite the tumultuous offseason.

“My expectations haven’t changed," Lombardi said. "We might look a little different this year, but I have the same expectation, and I think these athletes would tell you the same thing."

“There’s always the same expectations, to go to the end," said junior Mia Camuso.

The Ducks won five Pac-12 championships over the last six years under White and reached the Women's College World Series in four of those seasons.

Reaching those goals will require team unity, Cruse says. It's a process that will come over time. It's crucial they maximize the next three weeks of practice before opening up the season at the Kajikawa Classic in Arizona in early February.

"Change is always difficult," Cruse said. "But I think we’ve brought in a lot of talented people… so I’m excited to see what these new people have to offer our team. I think our team chemistry is really good right now, and I’m excited to get more experience on the field with our team."