via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech softball coach Greg Stewart announced the signing of two All-America transfers and two All-State freshmen to Cascade Conference Letters of Intent for the 2026 season.
Transfers Kristine Schmidt and Brooklyn Loose will be joined by freshmen Danika Brackett and Margaret Pizano – adding to a veteran Lady Owls squad coming off their fourth-straight Cascade Conference regular-season title and 11th-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
“We have been blessed to have another outstanding recruiting class, and I am very excited to add these four high character and high caliber players to our roster next season,” Stewart said.
Schmidt heads to Tech from North Idaho College, joining former Cardinals standout Hayden Rockwell on the roster. The junior transfer, originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, had a banner two seasons at NIC – earning NWAC East Region Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-America honors in 2024, while earning all Scenic West Athletic Conference honors in 2025 – combining for 32 victories. As a senior at Coeur d’Alene High, Schmidt was the Intermountain Conference Player of the Year and earned 5A All-State honors. Schmidt is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer and will be studying biology health sciences.
“Kristine is an outstanding pitcher who has been a proven winner over the past two years,” Stewart said. “She will give us another talented arm with college experience who has had a great strikeout to walk ratio in her career. Kristine pitches with plus velocity, movement, and change of speed and we look for her to be an immediate impact in the circle.”
Loose will join the OIT team after leading Lower Columbia CC this spring to a perfect 48-0 record and a NWAC title – and teams up with former Red Devil, Sawyer Stenson, on the Owls roster. The catcher earned NFCA Diamond Catcher of the Year, NFCA All-America and NWAC South Region MVP honors in 2025, combining to hit .464 with 22 homers, 23 doubles and 110 RBI in Cowlitz County. At Adna High, Loose led the squad to the 2019 and 2023 Washington 2B state titles, earning Central League MVP honors as a senior. The daughter of Elmer and Sophia will study business marketing at Tech.
“Brooklyn is a talented player who we think can make an immediate impact in our lineup and behind the plate next year,” Stewart said. “She is a gold glove catcher with a tremendous arm, great leadership on the field, and has been a proven offensive threat from the left side as she hits for both average and power. Brooklyn is also a very good athlete that can steal bases and play in the outfield when called on.”
Brackett is coming off an outstanding senior season at Crater High, helping the Comets win the Midwestern League title and reach the 5A state semifinals. The slap-hitting catcher was named to the 5A All-State team and was Midwestern League Player of the Year, hitting .533 with six doubles, six triples, 44 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Brackett is the daughter of John and Becky and will study business.
“Danika is very good athlete who is a true utility at our level,” Stewart stated. “She can catch, play middle-infield, and can run down fly balls with her speed and athleticism. Offensively, she is a lefty with the ability to slap and hit away and we look for her to be a great run producer who can put pressure on a defense with her speed when she gets on base.”
Pizano becomes the third local player on the Owls squad – as the Mazama High grad joins current Lady Owls Malia Mick and Carli Moore, both graduates of Henley High. The corner infielder is a 2-time 4A All-State selection and 2-time NFCA All-Region pick, earning Skyline Conference Player of the Year honors in 2025 – hitting .581 as a senior and finishing as the Vikings all-time home run leader. Pizano is the daughter of Raul and Tia and will study biology health sciences.
“Margaret is an accomplished hitter who can change the momentum of a game with one swing,” Stewart said. “She will be a fantastic addition to our program over the next four years as she has tremendous power to all fields but can also hit for average and get on base. Margaret is a corner infielder with great hands and a strong arm and has shown the ability to make outstanding plays in the infield.”
The Lady Owls are coming off a 45-11 record in 2025, advancing to the title game of the NAIA Opening Round Bracket.