Meet our dedicated coaching staff

Get to know the passionate individuals who are here to guide and support you on your baseball and softball journey to success. Our team of experienced and committed coaches is the cornerstone of our program, and they bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm to every coaching session.

Marcus Lydon

Baseball

I am a Eugene kid born and raised. I have always been proud of our area, from Willamette Valley All-Stars to playing for the Challengers. I graduated from Marist Catholic in 2017. Played four years of football and baseball there. I was a 2X Challenger under Coach Riley. In my Senior summer, I played for the Redding Colt 45's (Wood bat). The impact my father and other coaches in the area had on me is inspiring, and their lessons made baseball and sports more than just games to me. This made my life and baseball much easier as I went through the struggles every athlete does. I got into coaching because of the core impact my coaches had on me and the better man they made me. Not just the player.


2018: Seattle University (OF)
2019: Linn Benton CC (2B)
2020: University of Oregon (Utility)
2021: Assistant Director of Player Development - U of O

           Hitting Coach - Eugene Challengers (State Champions)

2022: Assistant Director of Player Development - U of O

           Hitting Coach - Wenatchee Applesox (WCL)

14 College Player Commitments since 2023


Head Coaches: Donny Harrel, Andy Peterson, Mark Wasikowski

Schedule with Marcus

Carson Lydon

Baseball

I am a Eugene native, born and raised, who loves their community. I have competed in Eugene since I was little, from the Diamond Ducks to Eugene Challengers. I am a Churchill High School grad, a 2x All-League and State Selection, leading the state in pitching and hitting statistics. After HS, I accepted a scholarship to Two-Way at the University of Oregon. After the completion of my first year, I transferred to Juco. I am now playing for the Ball State University Cardinals. I am so passionate about the game and our community due to the experiences I have endured. The coaches I have had in my career have shaped me into the man I am today, and I plan to continue to pass the torch through to your kid. With my experience as a transfer portal and junior college athlete, I could also develop relationships with many coaches throughout the country. I plan to develop your players into the best they can be physically and mentally, intending to make them play collegiate baseball. I look forward to working with your player and developing a relationship that will last a lifetime.


Playing Years:
2017-2021: Churchill High School (1B/OF/LHP)
2x PG West All American - 2nd Team
#1 1B Class of 2021 - Oregon
Baseball America Top 25 Oregon Draft Prospect (College/HS)
2022: University of Oregon (1B/LHP)
2023: Feather River College (1B/LHP)
PG Top 300 Junior College Prospect
Current: Ball State University (LHP/UT)
100+ Collegiate AB., 30+ Collegiate App.

Schedule with Carson

Ariel Carlson

Softball

Hi my name is Ariel! I played softball for the University of Oregon for 5 years. During that time I accomplished so much on the field but what I am most proud of is representing my home state. Now that my time playing is over I am so excited to help young girls with dreams similar to mine and offer all of my knowledge on the game.


2018 and 2019 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year

2024 All Pac-12 First Team

2024 NFCA All-Pacific Region

Schedule with Ariel

Amy Jankowski

Softball

My name is Amy Jankowski, I'm from Eugene and graduated from Churchill High School while earning all league and all state titles at the 5A level. I am now a sophomore, and pitch for Corban University in Salem, OR. I assist in coaching the 16U Diamond FastPitch team. Growing up I played for local Oregon teams, as well as travel teams in California and Idaho. I have always been a utility player but recently switched to being a PO. Softball, pitching in specific, is my passion and I love to share my love and passion for the game with others, and thrive while doing so! 


Playing years:

 

2018-2020: North Eugene High School(Pitcher/Utility) 

2020-2022: Churchill High School (Pitcher/Utility) 

Honorable Mention 5A Pitcher (2021) 

1st Team All League (2022) 

2nd Team All State (2022) 

2022 - Current: Corban University 

34 innings pitched freshman year

Schedule with Amy

Kai Luschar

Softball

My name is Kai Luschar, and I am a current player for the University of Oregon. I am excited to be back in the community helping the future generation of Ducks! I will be specializing in Slapping and Outfield defensive lessons here at the Lab.  I'm excited to share my knowledge with the girls in the community.

REDSHIRT JUNIOR (2024)
- 2024 NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team
- 2024 All-Pac-12 First Team
- 2024 CSC Academic All-District Team
- NFCA Top Performances of the Week (2/27)


CAREER HIGHS
Hits: 4, 2x, last vs. Oregon State (Apr. 21, 2024)
Runs: 3, 7x, last vs. Northern Colorado (Apr. 28, 2024)
RBIs: 2, 4x, last vs. Oregon State (Apr. 19, 2024)
Doubles: 1, 3x, last vs. Northern Colorado (Apr. 28, 2024)
Triples: 1, 3x, last at Arizona (Apr. 13, 2024)
Home Runs: 0
Stolen Bases: 4 vs. Mount St. Mary’s (Feb. 29, 2024)
Hitting Streak: 9 games, Feb. 17-Mar. 3, 2024

Schedule with Kai

Matt Dallas

Baseball

I have had the privilege of being a part of a highly successful Oregon Ducks baseball team for two years, which has given me a great perspective on what a winning culture looks like and what it takes to develop as a player. As a Duck, I learned structure, discipline, and accountability on and off the baseball field. These are all components I intend to hold true as a coach at LydoLabs. At the University of Oregon, I was able to help win a Pac-12 tournament championship as well as be a part of multiple regional and super regional appearances. With my background, I understand the mental workload, the physical workload, and the overall expectations that come with playing baseball at a high level. I also have experience pitching professionally with the Washington Wild Things in the Frontier League. I am passionate about motivating younger athletes and helping them take their mental and physical skills to the next level.


Playing Years:

Lane Community College 2019-2021

University of Oregon 2021-2023

Washington Wild Things (current) Frontier League

Schedule with Matt

Tim Susnara

Baseball

My name is Tim Susnara, and I was born and raised in Northern California. I attended St. Francis High School where I won a CCS championship, and was also selected and participated in the Under Armor All-American game held at Wrigley Field in Chicago. From there I went on to play baseball for the University of Oregon (2015-2017) under then head coach, George Horton, and now head coach, Mark Wasikowski. In 2017 I was drafted and signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 8th round. Since, I have played for the Chicago Cubs and last year, with the Baltimore Orioles in AA, and AAA.


I'm available for players who are interested in learning the professional fundamentals in catching and hitting.

Schedule with Tim

Max McDowell

Baseball

My name is Max McDowell, I grew up in Essex Junction, Vermont.  I have a strong passion for developing pitchers, a saying I picked up in professional baseball that I use to this day is; "closed mouths don't get fed".  Meaning, speak up, ask myself or anyone at Lydo's Lab questions, take control of your own career.  My goal as an instructor is to help you get to where you want to be as a pitcher.  That can be something as small as repeatability and comfort with 0 - 0 off speed pitches, or as big as a Varsity roster spot in the future.  Buying into a process and routine as pitchers is huge as well, and something I preach to all my players.  Looking forward to getting after it.  My brother Theo McDowell and cousin Jonny Farmelo are both draft selections out of high school and playing professionally.  Theo played for the Spokane Indians in 2018 when it as a Short A affiliate for the Texas Rangers.


Playing Career:

Collegiate

D2 St Michael's College (NE-10)

Futures League:  Pittsfield Suns


Independent Pro

Atlantic League:  High Point Rockers 2022


Coaching Career

Royal Oaks Leprechauns (Pitching Coach)

Northwood League 2024

Great Lakes League 2023

Framingham State University (Pitching Coach) 2024

Schedule with Max

Karlie Charles

Softball

Hi I’m Karlie, a Texas native out of The Colony High School. I finished my collegiate softball career in the spring season of 2024 having pitched 5 years in the Big 12 Conference at Iowa State University. In my time at Iowa State, I faced a lot of adversity and those hardships helped me develop into a stronger athlete than I was before. I was given a space to engage with my hitters and coaches about strategy and technique, which gave me a foundation for my coaching career. I look forward to helping young pitchers enhance their mechanics, mobility, speed and mentality. A mindset that I practice and incorporate in my coaching philosophy is that, failure is learning, failure is trying, and failure means you’re halfway to success. Never say you won’t, or you never will.

Playing years:
2015-2019 - The Colony High School
2019-2024 - Iowa State University

Current:
Graduate Assistant at University of Oregon SB

Schedule with Karlie

Trinity Holden

Softball

My name is Trinity Holden and I’m so honored to be a member of the Lydos Lab staff. I’m very passionate about softball and have been playing since I was 9 years old. My journey in the sport began with high-level travel ball at the age of 12, where I excelled in every position except for pitching. As a catcher at heart who loves to hit, I enjoy the strategic aspects of the game. One of my proudest achievements was helping my travel team secure 3rd place at the PGF Nationals, the premier tournament in the country. I’ve been giving lessons since I was 14, and I have two years of coaching experience with the NW Bullets, the same travel team I played for. Currently, I’m a junior at the University of Oregon, majoring in Human Physiology, while continuing to play softball at the collegiate level. I’m excited to share my knowledge and passion for the game with aspiring players!


Playing Career:

Collegiate

Portland State University: 2023

University of Oregon:  Current


Schedule with Trinity

Kellen Strahm

Baseball

Hello everyone! I’m Kellen Strahm, and I’m thrilled to join the Lydos lab community. Currently, I’m in the Texas Rangers farm system, finishing up this season in Triple A. With a deep passion for baseball and years of playing experience, I’m eager to contribute to the growth of the sport in a community that has been pivotal in my journey as a player. I look forward to helping players enhance their skills and strive for their highest potential. Don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to support you!

Playing years:
2017-2019 - San Jose State

Current:
Texas Rangers - AAA Round Rock Express

Schedule with Kellen

Alan Embree

Baseball

My Alan Embree was a Left-Handed releiver who pitched for 18 Major-League seasons.  He was a member of two Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, two Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres Post-Season teams, with 2 World Series appearance's one with Cleveland and a World Series Championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.  Embree transitioned seamlessly into coaching after his retirement and has many years of experience as a Pitching Coach and Manager in the West Coast League, most recently with the Springfield Drifters in 2023.  He was at Summit High School in Bend over a seven-year span with an OSAA State Championship, while also working with the Bend Elks.  Collegiately Coach Embree also served as the Pitching Coach at Northwest Nazarene University from 2017 to 2018.


Playing Career:

Professional

Cleveland Indians '92 - '96

Atlanta Braves '97 - '98

Arizona Diamondbacks '98

San Francisco Giants '99 - '01

Chicago White Sox '01

San Diego Padres '02

Boston Red Sox '02 - '05

New York Yankees '05

San Diego Padres '06

Oakland Athletics '07 - '08

Colorado Rockies '09


Schedule with Alan

Former

Coaches


Rio Britton

Baseball

My name is Rio Britton, and I am a former ballplayer from the University of Oregon. I am excited to be back in the community helping the future generation of Ducks! Coach Lydo has become a good friend of mine over my time at UO; he coaches the game with the right mix of professionalism and personality. He’s helping kids grow and level up, and his approach is one of the many reasons I am entirely on board. Having already been down the road you are on, I know the skill set it takes to EXCEL and HAVE FUN through the next level, in both aspects of life and on the Diamond. We will experiment with and experience FAILURE and SUCCESS …YOU WILL FAIL! I will teach you how to accept failure, embrace it, and consistently strive for progress. With total effort and excitement to learn the game, you will 100% get better and see results.

2023 University of Oregon ( PAC-12 - 2 years ) North Carolina State University ( ACC - 1 year )

85 collegiate appearances
500+ batters faced
High school: 2016-2020 Top 200 player nationally Top 10 CA LHP 3x CAL Academic-Team (Capital Athletic League)
2019 CAL Pitcher of the Year 2019 First team All-CAL     
Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks 2023

Schedule with Rio

Terra McGowan

Softball

My name is Terra McGowan, and I am originally from Southern California! My softball career started as a Batbuster playing under Mike Stith. My time as a Batbuster taught me what it took to be a successful college athlete. For the past five years, I have had the privilege of competing on the Oregon softball team. Over my five years at Oregon, I was a 3x All-PAC12 team member, a 3x NFCA All-Pacific Region team member, 2x PAC-12 All-Defensive team member, and most recently, I was named as an NFCA First-Team All-American as well as the Diamond Sports National Catcher of the Year. As I return to Oregon for my 6th year living here, I am stepping into a new coaching role, and I couldn’t be more excited!


Current : Assistant Coach, Boise State University

Mariah Lopez

Softball

Mariah holds the all-time record in winning percentage at Oklahoma with a 51-2 (.962) record and finished her collegiate career with a 71-7 (.910) record. She reached the Women's College World Series four times during her playing days, claiming a National Championship in 2017 as the winning pitcher. Additionally, she was a member 2017 Junior USA Olympic team 2017 where she became a WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship Gold Medalist.


Playing Years:

University of Oklahoma 2017-2019

University of Arizona - 2020-2021


Current : Pitching Coach, Cal Baptist University

Interested in learning more about all our offerings? We’re here to help!

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