Maple Ridge star pitcher Rylee Ruppel officially signed with the Oregon Ducks, and will be an NCAA scholar-athlete starting in September 2026.
One of the top young throwers in Canada, the Maple Ridge Secondary School grad has been a member of the U18 Canadian national team. Ruppel helped Team Canada win silver at the WBSC Pan Am Championships to qualify for the U18 Women’s World Cup, and then place fifth at that event in Oklahoma.
Ruppel is also the top-ranked pitcher from B.C., and was part of a provincial team that won the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland.
She plays for the White Rock Renegades, and also the Firecrackers Select Rico/Brashear club team, which is based in Huntington Beach, California.
“I chose Oregon because it truly felt like home, ever since I went to my first camp I knew that was the place I wanted to be,” Ruppel said. “The softball team plays at such a high competitive level and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. The team culture is unbelievable the girls, the coaches, and the staff all felt like family to me right away.”
“The coaches are so supportive and believe in every single athlete on and off the field. This program has a family feeling and I knew that from the start.”
She said the University of Oregon is also known for having strong academic programs, and ranked among the top 100 universities in the U.S. by a prominent national publication. Ruppel plans to study business, and comes from a prominent local business family – her mother, Michelle Jones-Ruppel, is dealer principal for the West Coast Auto Group.
Mom is already planning weekend road trips for ball games, and is excited for this next chapter in her daughter’s life.
“I feel great about where she’s going,” said Jones-Ruppel. “It’s a warm, wonderful environment.”
In her freshman year, Rylee plans to show up at the ball park with a great attitude.
“My goal starting out is to work hard, be confident, earn my place, and contribute however the team needs me,” she said. “I want to go out there and be the best version of myself at all times, while also making amazing friendships with all the girls.”
That’s the first step toward future ambitions that include continuing to be an elite player, and representing Canada internationally.
“My long-term aspiration in softball is to become an impact player in Oregon. I want to help the team out in as many ways as possible and compete at the highest level,” she said. “I want to push myself to reach my full potential and be a strong leader in the program.”
The national team is a “big dream of mine,” she added.
“To compete at the highest level while representing your country is such an amazing opportunity and a huge honour. I know it takes a lot of hard work but being at Oregon is definitely a place where I can prepare myself to compete at that level physically and mentally.”
Her new coach is Melyssa Lombardi, who was named the 2025 Big Ten Softball Coach of the Year. She likes what she sees from her new Canadian player.
“I love how Rylee competes on the mound,” said Lombardi. “Representing Canada at the international level has prepared her for success in the college game.”
Lombardi also likes her new pitcher’s stuff.
“She’s got a devastating drop ball and an excellent changeup. Our defense is going to love playing behind her,” said the coach. “She’s also got a great swing and could help us at the plate. It’s going to be exciting to have a couple of pitchers who can shut a team down and then turnaround and drive in some runs.”
Ruppel is part of a touted Ducks recruiting class, that has been ranked 10th best in the U.S.
“We are really excited to sign a recruiting class with exceptional student-athletes from all over the United States and Canada,” said Lombardi. “We look forward to welcoming them and their families into our Duck family.”