A year ago it was the power of Oregon's bats that thrust them to the top of the collegiate softball world. With the Pac-12's top offense in home runs and slugging percentage, the Ducks nearly ran through the league unscathed and earned the top overall seed in the Women's College World Series.

But unfortunately the most of the power has left Jane Sanders Stadium, and it isn't expected to come back. The team's top six home run hitters have graduated or transferred, as have the team's five leaders in runs batted in. All in all, the returning position players combined for just 11 dingers and 76 RBIs last season.

New Oregon coach Missy Lombardi said she had been encouraged with the swings she saw during fall ball, but it seems increasingly likely that this team attacks teams on the base path more than via the long ball in 2019.

“I think we’ll really be built on speed and stealing bases and working with the short game," junior first baseman Mia Camuso told media on Tuesday.

That does seem to play in favor of the team's strengths. Alexis Mack (24 stolen bags) and Haley Cruse (10) were first and third on last year's team in bases stolen. The were also first and second in batting average a year ago, with Cruse posting a team-best .377 batting average.

“I think we are going to need to make things happen a lot more on offense," Cruse said. "We have a lot more speed this year. I think we’re going to focus on getting on base. We have a lot of versatile players that can make things happen on offense."

The Ducks will undoubtedly rely more on newcomers than they have in the past few years as well. Since losing six players to transfer this fall, the Ducks have added three transfers of their own along with five true freshmen.

The trio of transfers, comprised of freshman catcher Terra McGowan (Arizona State) and sophomore arms Jordan Dail (Virginia Tech) and Maddie MacGrandle (Texas A&M), will be pivotal to this team's success, Lombardi said.

“I’m excited to have all three of them," she said. "I think they’re going to do a great job and they’re going to help this program."

Even with the additions of Dail and MacGrandle, both of whom are expected to start games in the circle, the last remaining veteran is expected to lead the staff, Lombardi said. Often overlooked by the play of All-Americans Miranda Elish and Megan Kleist, junior Maggie Balint is the presumed ace on this year's team.

Balint was a first-team all-conference performer in 2017 as a freshman when she carried a 1.22 ERA and a 21-3 record. Injuries slowed her progress last season, when she made just 18 appearances, and only 10 starts.

"When I think of the leader of our pitchers," Lombardi said. "I think of Maggie Balint. She did a great job leading us on the mound during fall ball. I’m proud of how she’s led these two newcomers. I’d expect her to lead the way."

Balint, Dail and MacGrandle will likely be surrounded by mostly freshmen in the infield. McGowan is expected to play catcher, while Jasmine Sievers, Rachel Cid, Hannah Galey and Allee Bunker will battle to play in the infield with Camuso as the only returner at first base.

“It’s nothing that I’m afraid of or I haven’t done before," said Sievers, the expected starter at short stop. "I just think of it as playing the game and doing the things that I need to do and not thinking too much about it."

The Ducks won't gradually wade into the 2019 season. No, they'll jump in head first with four preseason tournaments away from home: the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. (Feb. 8-10), the Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. (Feb. 15-16), the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Cali. (Feb. 21-24) and the Judy Garman Classic in Fullerton, Cali. (Feb. 28-March 2).

“I’m looking forward to the pre-season tournament that we will be going to this year," Lombardi said. "They’re strong. Right out of the gate, we’re going to face tough competition. I’m a firm believer that in order for us to be great, we have to play great teams."