SARNIA – A familiar face in the local softball community is joining the Lions on the bench and the recruiting trail.
Head Coach Greg Shortt has added Sydney Redick to the Lambton Women’s Softball coaching staff for the 2026 season, and beyond. Redick will assume the role of Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Lions moving forward.
“I am thrilled to be part of the OCAA once again, this time on the coaching side,” said Redick. “Having first-hand experience as an OCAA student-athlete allows me to understand the demands placed on players, which I believe will be a valuable asset as I take on the recruiting role.”
“I am excited to join the Lambton College softball program, which continues to grow within the OCAA, and to be part of the ongoing development of both the athletes and the program. While recruiting is a new opportunity for me, I am eager to learn and contribute to the game at a different level. I look forward to working closely with student-athletes, both on and off the field.”
Redick, who is from Alvinston, was a four-year student-athlete at Durham College with the Lords Women’s Softball program, serving as a pitcher, first baseman, and designated hitter. She posted a career .316 batting average and .519 slugging percentage in 104 games. On the mound, she posted a career 4.23 ERA over 151 innings pitched, racking up 120 strikeouts.
Over her tenure in the OCAA, Redick was a four-time OCAA medalist, winning the 2021 OCAA Championship to go along with three OCAA Silver Medals. In 2023, Redick and the Lords won a Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) National Silver Medal, and she was named a CCSA All-Star.
Shortt is looking forward to adding someone of Redick’s pedigree to the coaching staff.
“We are excited to welcome Sydney to our Lions coaching staff,” said Shortt. “She is very knowledgeable about the game and well-connected in the softball world, so I feel she is a great addition to our program.”
“She has a been a tremendous talent as a softball player, excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter, and brings a deep passion for the game of softball. Sydney competed at the varsity level with the Durham Lords, giving her invaluable, high-level experience, and our players will learn a lot from her.”
Born in Alvinston, Redick’s softball career began in her hometown before she continued her development with the Enniskillen Express. From there, she joined the inaugural Up the Middle (UTM) Revolution team, competing at the Tier 1 level for the first time. During her three years with the Revolution, she earned a Bronze Medal at the Ontario Summer Games and was named the Tournament MVP.
Redick also competed with the Waterloo Ghosts, where their team competed at the Canadian National Championships.
Over the past five years, Redick has returned to her roots and has been coaching within the Alvinston Minor Ball Association. This season, Redick is coaching with a U17 program and has worked on introducing PWSA programming to the organization. Redick’s goal is to help retain local talent, provide higher-level opportunities, and show young athletes from small communities what is possible through the sport of softball.
In addition to coaching, over the past five years, Redick has helped organize and run an annual memorial softball tournament in honour of her brother, Tanner Redick, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2019. The tournament, which began as a small community event, now hosts 32 teams across men’s and women’s divisions and is held over four days each July in Alvinston.
All funds raised are reinvested back into the community and organizations that Tanner was involved with and deeply cared about. To date, the tournament has raised over $210,000 in five years, making a meaningful and lasting impact on the local community.
Redick and company have also established a scholarship program to support local students pursuing post-secondary education. The scholarship is open to individuals enrolled in any program and is awarded based on a written submission highlighting their field of study and community involvement or volunteer experience.
Throughout her experiences at every level of softball, Redick has taken something from the coaches she’s played for, and she looks to apply the knowledge as she gears up for the next chapter of her softball journey.
“I am incredibly grateful to the many coaches who have supported me and guided me throughout my playing career, particularly during my time at Durham College,” added Redick. “Their mentorship helped shape not only the player I became, but also the coach I am today.”
Redick is already hard at work on the recruiting trail for the Lions ahead of the 2026 OCAA season. Keep an eye out for her at events, tournaments, and games across Southwestern Ontario this year.
Welcome to The Den, Syd!