Kedre, left, and Kailee Luschar pose at Oregon’s softball media day. The sisters are finishing their college careers as some of the top players in the nation — and doing so while playing alongside each other.
This weekend, the University of Oregon softball team will host its first NCAA regional since 2018.
There’s no question the Ducks wouldn’t be where they are at without the contributions of two Carson High alumni — Kedre and Kailee Luschar.
The 16th-seeded Ducks will try to get past Weber State, Stanford and Binghamton in their regional and advance to the Super Regionals before, of course, potentially qualifying for the College World Series.
Oregon ended the spring as the No. 6 team in the country in the NFCA poll and the No. 11 team according to USA Softball.
The Ducks put together a 47-7 record and won the Big Ten regular season conference title with a mark of 19-3 in conference play.
A few more games at home are exactly what the two sisters have been hoping for.
“Kai and I were talking; we didn’t even think that Senior Day was going to be our last (home) day,” said Kedre. “We’re really thankfully that we were able to get chosen and a chance to stay at home.”
(Oregon senior Kedre Luschar makes a leaping catch up against the wall this season. Luschar had been the Ducks’ best hitter at the plate this spring and was named a USA Collegiate Softball top 25 Player of the Year finalist. / Courtesy Oregon Athletic Communications)
KEDRE’S BREAKOUT
As a sophomore, Kedre Luschar appeared in 32 games and made 18 starts.
Last season, she made 25 appearances with six starts.
In her senior season with the Ducks, she broke into the starting lineup in the outfield and has refused to hand back the reins.
Kedre leads Oregon with a .458 batting average this spring and boasts a gaudy 1.204 OPS with 51 RBIs in 52 games. She’s been a starter in 51 of those games.
“I think it’s just been a lot of work, dedication and discipline,” said Kedre. “What you put in is what you get back.”
Earning at-bats amongst some of the top-tier softball talent in the country was no easy feat, but Kedre said her commitment has been steadfast.
She’s recorded 71 hits, with 14 doubles, five triples and five home runs.
“It was really just sticking to a plan, creating a goal and then fulfilling it,” said Kedre. “Stance-wise, I changed some stuff, but it was really just doing what works for my body.”
She’s reaped the rewards, concluding the season as a finalist for USA Collegiate Softball Player of the Year.
Kedre also earned first-team all-conference honors in the Big Ten.
“It’s been so cool to see her do so well,” said Kai. “It’s super-rare to have two sisters getting first team.”
(Kailee Luschar slaps at a pitch during an Oregon game this season. Luschar is hitting .404 and leads the nation in stolen bases with 54. / Courtesy Oregon Athletic Communications)
SPEED KILLS
Right alongside her sister, redshirt senior Kai Luschar picked up a first-team all-conference selection in the Big Ten, as well.
Kai has been a staple in the lineup for the last three seasons and has continued to be one of the most productive slap-hitters in the country.
Out of the leadoff spot, Kai has a .404 batting average and has recorded 69 hits.
She’s turned heads, too, with 54 stolen bases in 54 games, the most of any player across the country.
“The most important part for me is just leaving on time. If I leave on time, not too many people are able to throw me out,” said Kai.
She said her conversations with her coaches in the fall allowed her to get permission for a “green light.”
Kai has been featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 for her diving catches in the outfield, but her athleticism has always been one of the staples of her game.
“I’m more of a singles hitter; to be able to move into scoring position makes me feel better that I am contributing to the team in a good way,” she said.
In Oregon’s Big Ten tournament opener, Kai tied Oregon’s career stolen base record, swiping the 102nd bag of her career.
She’ll have a chance to stand alone on top of that list this weekend.
NEXT STEPS
The collegiate softball dream was never going to last forever.
Both Luschar sisters are still laser-focused on the goal at hand, but are certainly aware new challenges after graduation are right around the corner.
Given how much time and effort has been put into their passion to this point, the sisters are doing their best to try and take in the final games playing alongside each other.
“Playing with Kai is just the best thing that could’ve happened. … Just an incredible year, really,” said Kedre. “One of my biggest goals was being able to get to play right next to Kai. I feel like we are the closest that we have been in college to getting to the World Series, and that’s another goal we’ve had since we were little.”
Kai, the elder sister, echoed Kedre’s sentiment.
“You dream about this when you’re little. It doesn’t look exactly how you thought it would, but it’s all just such a blessing,” said Kai. “You just try to be where your feet are at because this is what you’ve wanted your whole life. Just to be happy and find joy in it.”
Kedre says her focus is still on softball at the moment and doesn’t have any set plans post-graduation, but hopes to get into the athletic training field.
Kai says her time in Eugene has expanded her passion for food and she wants to start a farm that allows her to grow her own food, as well as raise chickens, bees and potentially start a farmer’s market.
For whatever is next for the Luschar sisters, expect the two to continue to find ways to do it at the highest level possible.