Svekis Named to U.S. Women’s National Team
04/14/23 | Softball
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon alumna Gwen Svekis has been selected to compete for U.S. Women's National Team for the first time in her career. Svekis was an alternate for the 2022 WNT, but this marks the first time on the active roster for the 2018 graduate.
She will join 15 other athletes representing Team USA at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup – Group A event July 11-15 in Fingal-Dublin, Ireland.
Link to U.S. WNT Roster: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Team-USA/Women
The competition will consist of a two-stage format with 18 teams competing across three groups (Groups A, B and C) in Stage 1, followed by Stage 2 which will be held in 2024 and will include the top two teams from each group battling it out in the finals.
The U.S. will be joined in Group A by world-ranked No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 9 Australia, No. 16 Great Britain, No. 17 Ireland (host country) and No. 43 Botswana. An additional 12 countries will compete in Group B and Group C.
"We are so proud to have Gwen competing at the highest level of our sport and representing the University of Oregon," said head coach Melyssa Lombardi. "We are so thrilled to see all her dedication and hard work rewarded by being rostered with Team USA and can't wait to see her play for the Red, White and Blue this summer."
Svekis is the eighth Duck to earn a spot with Team USA since 2013.
The former Duck standout and the 2018 NFCA National Catcher of the Year has spent the last three seasons playing professionally with Athletes United. Her first two pro seasons were with Chicago of the National Pro Fastpitch league.
In addition to winning national catcher of the year honors for the Ducks, Svekis was an NFCA all-American in 2018. During her senior season of 2018, she batted .324 with 57 hits, 17 home runs, 60 RBI and 42 runs.
Svekis was a first- team all-Pac-12 selection in 2018, a third team pick in 2017 and an honorable mention recipient in 2015. She was also a 2015 Pac-12 all-freshman pick.
The Davie, Fla., native earned NFCA all-region first team recognition in 2018, third-team honors in 2017 and was a second-team pick in 2016.
The 2018 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Award winner played on three of Oregon's Pac-12 championship teams – 2015, 2016 and 2018. She was also a Women's College World Series participant with the Ducks in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
After graduating from Oregon, Svekis was drafted by the Chicago Bandits as the third overall pick in the 2018 NPF Draft.
- www.GoDucks.com -
She will join 15 other athletes representing Team USA at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup – Group A event July 11-15 in Fingal-Dublin, Ireland.
Link to U.S. WNT Roster: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Team-USA/Women
The competition will consist of a two-stage format with 18 teams competing across three groups (Groups A, B and C) in Stage 1, followed by Stage 2 which will be held in 2024 and will include the top two teams from each group battling it out in the finals.
The U.S. will be joined in Group A by world-ranked No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 9 Australia, No. 16 Great Britain, No. 17 Ireland (host country) and No. 43 Botswana. An additional 12 countries will compete in Group B and Group C.
"We are so proud to have Gwen competing at the highest level of our sport and representing the University of Oregon," said head coach Melyssa Lombardi. "We are so thrilled to see all her dedication and hard work rewarded by being rostered with Team USA and can't wait to see her play for the Red, White and Blue this summer."
Svekis is the eighth Duck to earn a spot with Team USA since 2013.
The former Duck standout and the 2018 NFCA National Catcher of the Year has spent the last three seasons playing professionally with Athletes United. Her first two pro seasons were with Chicago of the National Pro Fastpitch league.
In addition to winning national catcher of the year honors for the Ducks, Svekis was an NFCA all-American in 2018. During her senior season of 2018, she batted .324 with 57 hits, 17 home runs, 60 RBI and 42 runs.
Svekis was a first- team all-Pac-12 selection in 2018, a third team pick in 2017 and an honorable mention recipient in 2015. She was also a 2015 Pac-12 all-freshman pick.
The Davie, Fla., native earned NFCA all-region first team recognition in 2018, third-team honors in 2017 and was a second-team pick in 2016.
The 2018 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Award winner played on three of Oregon's Pac-12 championship teams – 2015, 2016 and 2018. She was also a Women's College World Series participant with the Ducks in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
After graduating from Oregon, Svekis was drafted by the Chicago Bandits as the third overall pick in the 2018 NPF Draft.
- www.GoDucks.com -
Oregon Softball vs. Oregon State | GAME HIGHLIGHTS (2026)
Thursday, April 23
Elise Sokolsky | Postgame - Oregon State (April 22)
Thursday, April 23
Melyssa Lombardi | Postgame - Oregon State (April 22)
Thursday, April 23
Oregon Softball vs. Washington | GAME HIGHLIGHTS (2026)
Monday, April 20
