ROSEBURG, Ore., Feb. 20, 2025–Umpqua Community College introduces its first softball program this academic year, bringing together a dedicated group of 15 student-athletes committed to the first season.
Head Coach Jami Strinz, brings over 20 years of experience to the team. Her playing career spans from Pleasant Hill High School to Bradley University in Illinois, and includes playing for the Ireland National Softball Team, and the Italian Professional Softball League. Strinz brings coaching and administrative experience from Beloit College (Wisconsin), Knox College (Illinois), Western Oregon University, Portland State University, Creighton University, and Chemeketa Community College. The coaching staff is further strengthened by assistant coaches Steve Williams from Roseburg, Sam Moyers from Glide, and Kyle Ludwig from Salem who bring regional experience having coached at Oregon high schools.
The player roster reflects the new program’s local roots, with athletes from Roseburg, Glide, Douglas, and Umpqua Valley Christian high schools. Other teammates hail from the northwest, from other locations in Oregon, as well as high schools in Nampa, Idaho, and Vancouver, Washington. The team includes multisport players Kiley Jones (UCC women’s soccer who earned 2nd Team All NWAC Honors as a goalie this fall), Keirra Bennett (UCC women’s basketball), and Jade Parazoo, a former all-American wrestler at UCC.
At its core, the Riverhawks softball program is about creating opportunities far beyond the softball field. Many of the team’s athletes would not have had the chance to attend college without this program, and there is a unified commitment to academic excellence as much as athletic performance. The players are actively working to set a positive example, focusing on effective communication with professors, time management, and personal development.
Off the playing field, you will find the team staying close to home and UCC as volunteers in community events such as the Veteran’s Day Parade, Neewollah Celebration, Cal Ripken events, and the Celebration of Literacy. The team frequently connects with young players in the community by offering local softball camps and clinics.
Coach Strinz’s philosophy centers on helping student-athletes discover their individual gifts while developing resilience. As the Riverhawks prepare for their first competitive season, they embody a unique approach to team leadership—operating without traditional captains and instead empowering each player to lead in their own way. This approach reflects the coach’s belief in individual growth, team commitment, and women as professionals in the world.
Stay up to date on the latest games with the Softball Schedule.
