If you’ve been keeping tabs on Oregon softball this season, you’ve probably caught wind of Stefini Ma’ake—and trust me, she’s hard to miss. This freshman slugger for the No. 6 Ducks is tearing it up, and she’s doing it with a grin that could charm the cleats off a rival pitcher.
Right now, Stefini’s batting .333 with 10 home runs, putting her in second place on the team behind Rylee McCoy who’s racked up 13 dingers. Still, those 10 bombs? That’s some serious flex, and Ducks fans are loving every minute of it. But it’s not just her knack for going yard that’s got everyone talking—it’s her bubbly vibe and genuine sweetness that make her the kind of player you can’t help but cheer for. Let’s dive into what makes Stefini Ma’ake a total gem: big swings, bigger heart, and a whole lotta fun.
Crushing It at the Plate
Stefini’s got a bat that’s basically a home run machine. Her 10 homers have her nipping at the heels of the team leader, and she’s not slowing down. Take her monster weekend against Rutgers on March 28—she went 4-for-5 with a homer and six RBIs in a 20-1 blowout, then followed it up the next day with another blast and four more RBIs in a 21-2 rout. That’s 10 RBIs in two games! Her slugging percentage over that series? A ridiculous 1.333. Pitchers are probably having nightmares about her stepping into the box.
She made her Jane Sanders Stadium debut back in February and wasted no time, launching a 300-foot shot that had the crowd buzzing. Growing up, she looked up to Jocelyn Alo, the NCAA’s all-time home run queen and a fellow Pacific Islander with a flair for the dramatic. Stefini’s got that same spark, and with 22 RBIs in her first 16 games, she’s showing she’s more than just a power hitter—she’s a clutch one, too.
All Smiles, All the Time
Here’s the thing about Stefini: she’s a walking ray of sunshine. Her coach, Melyssa Lombardi, can’t stop gushing about her. “People are talking about the long ball, but Stefini the person is just such an unbelievable human,” Lombardi said earlier this year. “Heart of gold, team-first, she’s amazing.” You can see it on the field—she’s always hyping up her teammates, cracking jokes, and flashing that smile after a big hit. It’s like she’s throwing a party in the dugout, and everyone’s invited.
She’s already snagged two Big Ten Freshman of the Week nods this season—once in February after a four-homer, 11-RBI tear, and again on March 31 after her Rutgers rampage. That’s half of Oregon’s four freshman honors this year, and she’s only getting started. She hit .667 in that Rutgers series, and with her .333 average holding strong, she’s proving she’s got the chops to back up the hype.
From the Islands to Eugene
Stefini’s story starts with some serious athletic roots. Her mom played rugby in New Zealand, her dad was a football guy, and she grew up trying every sport under the sun—except soccer, which she “absolutely hated” from day one. Softball clicked, and she poured her heart into travel ball, even if it meant skipping family reunions (sorry, Aunties!). That hustle brought her to Oregon, where she’s not just swinging for the fences but lifting the whole team with her energy.
The Ducks knew they were getting a hitter when they recruited her, but they hit the jackpot with her leadership, too. And let’s be honest—those frat brothers at Delta Sigma Phi are probably sweating bullets every time she’s up, praying their windows survive another one of her moonshots. She’s a campus legend in the making.
Why She’s the Best
Stefini Ma’ake is the kind of player who makes softball a blast to watch. Yeah, her stats are killer (10 homers, second on the team—did I mention that?), but it’s her spirit that’s the real MVP. She’s the teammate who’d pick you up after a bad at-bat, then go crush one to make it all right. Oregon’s lucky to have her, and if this season’s any clue, she’s got plenty more bombs—and good vibes—up her sleeve. Keep shining, Stefini, and go Ducks!
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