Oregon announces addition of Cal softball transfer Elon Butler

Oregon softball's roster saw its first move of the offseason when head coach Melyssa Lombardi announced the signing of Cal transfer Elon Butler on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Ducks are hot off a season that saw them finish sixth in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball rankings after reaching the Women's College World Series for the first time during Lombardi's tenure. Butler, a utility player entering her senior season, will help add to a strong core built around a dynamic duo in the circle and a talented group of young hitters.

"I am impressed with Elon's power at the plate," Lombardi said of Butler in a statement released by the team on Wednesday. "She can change the game with one swing. She has faced elite pitching her entire career and has excelled. She can turn a single into a double with her ability to run. I also like her athleticism and versatility on defense. Elon's a competitor and will be a great addition to Version 8."

In three years with the Golden Bears, Butler hit .328 with 37 home runs and 110 RBIs as a key piece in a Cal lineup that reached the NCAA Tournament every year. In addition to her prowess at the plate, she'll provide the Ducks value with her versatility in the field, having made the switch from playing primarily second base to right field last year, while still earning starts at second, short, and third throughout the season.

Butler has made year-over-year strides at the plate, raising her walk rate and dropping her strikeout rate every season while maintaining a sweet power stroke from the right-handed batter's box. She cranked double-digit homers in all three seasons, including a career-high 17 as a sophomore to earn an NFCA second-team All-American nod.

As a junior this past spring, she added another element to her game, doubling up her previous career-high by swiping 16 bags. With the consistent effort she has taken year after year to be more patient at the plate, raising her walk rate to 18 percent to reach base at a .486 clip last season, it has only given her more chances to threaten teams with her speed.

Although it's not yet known where Lombardi will ultimately decide Butler's spot will be in the field, there's no doubt that her bat will be at the top of the Ducks lineup, helping to fill the void left by Paige Sinicki, Dezianna Patmon, and Kai and Kedre Luschar. Heading into the offseason, there were likely six spots solidified in Lombardi's lineup, with potential question marks in the outfield corners and at one of the middle-infield spots — the two positions that Butler spent a majority of her time at with Cal.

As an on-base and power threat to add to the top of the lineup, Butler's versatility to play all over the diamond — especially at the positions that Oregon needs — will make her a strong veteran presence on a team looking to get back to Oklahoma City, which Lombardi said is the standard for her program after the season.

"I love being in Eugene — the atmosphere is amazing," Butler said in a statement through the team. "The University really makes an effort to prioritize the student-athlete experience. Everyone is well-taken care of and provided the resources to succeed."