Oregonjoneses

After celebrating the anniversary of Jane Sanders Stadium and the program's 60th season earlier in the weekend, Oregon capped a sweep of Washington on Sunday. By: Rob Moseley EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon softball provided a jubilant birthday party this weekend for Jane Sanders Stadium, which proved to be a house of horrors for the Huskies. The No. 13 Ducks (35-9, 16-2 Big Ten) finished off a sweep of No. 23 Washington on Sunday, 3-1, handing the Huskies their third loss in Big Ten play this season — all at The Jane over the weekend. Oregon bolstered its case for hosting postseason play in a few weeks, and is now a game behind first-place Nebraska as the Ducks chase a second straight conference title. "The sweep is big," said Elon Butler, who hit two solo homers Sunday. "It puts us in a great position to win the Big Ten. I'm so proud of this team, and just the way that we've grown and developed." Butler homered in the third and fifth innings Sunday, and Lyndsey Grein (23-4) pitched five shutout innings in the circle. Amari Harper provided some insurance with a homer in the sixth, and yet another senior, Elise Sokolsky, threw the final two innings for her third save of the season. "I just look at the senior class and what they're doing right now for the rest of our group, just the leadership and the high standard, and just bowing up to every moment and not having any bit of concern, I'm so proud of our seniors and I'm so proud of this group," UO coach Melyssa Lombardi said. "What an unbelievable weekend." Shortly after hitting her home run, Harper received a "Golden Ticket" to the AUSL pro league in a postgame ceremony. Softball legend Natasha Watley was on hand to make the presentation, which included a video announcing Harper's honor that featured UO women's athletics legend Sabrina Ionescu. "It was a shock," Harper said. "There were no words. It was always a possibility; I always knew that. But just knowing that it's a true opportunity now to put into play, it's indescribable." How It Happened: Grein stranded three runners in scoring position over the first three innings to keep the game scoreless. Butler then led off the bottom of the third with her 13th homer of the season, after going 2-for-17 over the previous six games. "I thought I was seeing the ball really well throughout the whole entire weekend," Butler said. "I just think I had to let it loose a little bit, and honestly, just trusting myself and trust in the work I put in." Butler hit her second home run with two out in the fifth. At that point Grein had retired 10 in a row, before leaving the game after the first two runners of the sixth reached base. Grein struck out 10 in Friday's series-opening win over the Huskies, pitched the first inning of Saturday's win and then helped finish off the sweep Sunday — handing the Huskies their first three losses in Big Ten play this season. "For me, (I) approach everybody the same," Grein said. "Have respect for the opponent, but at the same time, everyone's going to get my best that I have for that day. So, respect all but fear none, and then just, foot on the gas. Doesn't matter who's in the box, it just matters what goes on between me and (catcher) Emma (Cox)." Sokolsky came in with two on in the sixth and worked out of the jam. She struck out the final batter of the inning, after the first hitter she faced hit a liner back to Sokolsky, who caught it for the out and then threw to second to pick off the lead baserunner trying to get back to the bag. "We talk a lot about all three cylinders, and when they fire, we're going to be extremely tough to beat," Lombardi said after a weekend of elite defense by the Ducks, along with tough hitting and pitching. "And you got to see that all weekend long with this group. Defense wins championships, and you got to see our defense just hold steady for us." Harper then homered in the bottom of the sixth. That provided welcome cushioning when Washington hit a two-out solo homer in the seventh to break up the shutout. Notable: The Ducks swept Washington for the first time since 2018, and did so in Eugene for the first time since 2014. … Butler now has 51 career home runs, and the multi-homer game was the fifth of her career. … Butler now has 33 extra-base hits, breaking the UO single-season record set last season by Kedre Luschar. In 2024, Ariel Carlson tied the 25-year-old existing school record with 31, and it's been broken each year since. Up Next: The Ducks host Oregon State on Wednesday (6 p.m., B1G+).

60 YEARS OF SOFTBALL & 10 AT THE JANE Oregon's year-long celebration of 60 years of softball and 10 seasons at Jane Sanders Stadium will culminate this weekend when Oregon will welcome nearly 100 alums and their families to The Jane. Friday night, the program will recognize the Sanders Family for their support of Oregon softball. Saturday, Oregon will honor all alums in attendance with postgame, on-field ceremony. GREIN NAMED BIG TEN PITCHER OF THE WEEK After leading Oregon to a road sweep of Maryland, Lyndsey Grein was named D1 Softball National Pitcher of the Week and Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Week. This was her third career Big Ten honor and first of 2026. The senior from Mokena, Ill., went 3-0 against the Terrapins. For the weekend, she had a 0.93 ERA in 15 innings pitched. She allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out 25 and walked only two. She gave up only one extra base hit the entire series. In the game one 11-0 run-rule win, Grein struck out eight in four shutout innings and allowed two hits. She threw four hitless innings in relief in game two and struck out seven as the Ducks won 4-3 in eight innings. In the series finale, she struck out 10 in a complete game, 8-2 win. Grein, who is 21-4 on the season, leads the Big Ten in strikeouts (164), WHIP (0.94), and opponent batting average (.173), is second in wins and third in ERA (2.15). NUMBERS * 13 - Oregon is No. 13 in the current RPI rankings. * 16 - Oregon has 16 come-from-behind wins this season. * 22 - Oregon has played the 22nd most difficult schedule nationally. * 31 - Oregon leads the NCAA with a program-record 31 sacrifice flies. * 31 - 31 of Oregon's 38 games have come against teams in the top 75 of the RPI. * 6 - Elon Butler broke school and Big Ten record with six hits April 4 vs. Iowa. * 8 - Oregon is eighth nationally in average attendance per game (2,001). * 16 - Elon Butler leads the Big Ten and is eighth nationally with 16 doubles. * 21 - Lyndsey Grein has won 21 games, second in the Big Ten and third nationally. * 164 - Lyndsey Grein has struck out 164 batter this season, which leads the Big Ten. GREIN IN BIG TEN'S TOP FOUR IN NINE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES Lyndsey Grein ranks among the Big Ten's top four in nine different statistical categories. She leads the Big Ten in strikeouts (164), WHIP (0.94), hits allowed per seven innings pitched (4.35) and appearances (33). She's second in wins (21) and innings pitched (130.1). Grein is third ERA (2.15) and fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.00) and strikeouts per seven innings pitched (8.8). COX, MA'AKE LEAD DUCKS AT MARYLAND Emma Cox and Stefini Ma'ake accounted for more than half if the team's 21 RBI and three of its four home runs in the Ducks' sweep at Maryland. Cox hit .500 (4-of-8) with a pair of three-run home runs and eight RBI. Ma'ake also hit .500 (5-of-10) with a grand slam home run and five RBI.

EUGENE, Ore. – After leading No. 15 Oregon to a road sweep of Maryland, Lyndsey Grein has been named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. This is her third career Big Ten honor and first of 2026. The senior from Mokena, Ill., went 3-0 against the Terrapins. For the weekend, she had a 0.93 ERA in 15 innings pitched. She allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out 25 and walked only two. She gave up only one extra base hit the entire series. In Friday's 11-0 run-rule win, Grein struck out eight in four shutout innings and allowed two hits. She threw four hitless innings in relief on Saturday and struck out seven as the Ducks won 4-3 in eight innings. Sunday, she struck out 10 in a complete game, 8-2 win. Grein, who is 21-4 on the season, leads the Big Ten in strikeouts (164), WHIP (0.94), and opponent batting average (.173), is second in wins and third in ERA (2.15). The Ducks host No. 22 Washington for a three-game series that begins Friday at Jane Sanders Stadium (6 p.m., B1G+). 2026 HONORS Elon Butler, Sr., OF • Big Ten Player of the Week (4-6) Lyndsey Grein, Jr., RHP • Big Ten Pitcher of the Week (4-13) • Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week (3-24) Taryn Ho, Fr., SS • Big Ten Freshman of the Week (4-6)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Stefini Ma'ake's fifth inning grand slam sparked No. 15 Oregon to an 8-2 win over Maryland Sunday at Maryland Softball Stadium. The Ducks swept the Terrapins and have won eight in a row with No. 22 Washington visiting Eugene next weekend for a series between two of the top four teams in the Big Ten. Sunday, Oregon scored a run in the first inning and that's how it stayed until Ma'ake's homer. After Maryland scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut Oregon's lead to 5-2, Emma Cox made it a six-run game with a three-run home run in the top of the sixth. That was more than enough for starter Lyndsey Grein, who struck out 10 in improving to 21-4 on the season. For the weekend, Grein was 3-0 with 25 strikeouts and allowed two runs in 16 innings. "(Grein) was smiling the whole game, and I think she kept her composure well and she kept it simple and I think she just flat out competed today and wanted to sweep," said Ma'ake. How It Happened: In the first inning, Oregon (32-9, 13-2) did what it does better than anyone else in the county – bring a run home on a sacrifice fly. After Maryland walked the bases loaded, Emma Cox lifted a fly ball to left field that scored Elon Butler from third and the Ducks led 1-0 after a half inning. Grein kept the Terrapins (14-26, 1-17) off the scoreboard by striking out nine batters in the first four innings. The Terrapins had two runners aboard in the bottom of the first, but she struck out three hitters to leave them stranded. Grein then struck out the side in order in the bottom of the second, getting swings-and-misses on all three third strikes. Grein added three more punchouts in the bottom the fourth inning. Ma'ake opened the game up with her grand slam in the top of the fifth. Oregon loaded the bases on singles by Amari Harper, Ayanna Shaw and Taryn Ho. Ma'ake then launched an 0-1 pitch high over the wall in left field. It was her fifth home run of the season. "Honestly, I was just trying to see the ball," said Ma'ake, who had two hits on Sunday. "I haven't been able to see it all weekend, so I think it's just putting a good swing on a good pitch that I saw up. And so I think just doing that for the team just broke things open." The Terrapins scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth, cutting Oregon's lead to 5-2. Those were the only two runs allowed by Grein all weekend. In the top of the sixth, Cox stretched the Duck's lead to six with her fifth home run of the year. After Butler and Harper walked, Cox hit a laser out of the park to left center field, giving Oregon an 8-2 lead. "I definitely got jammed a little bit my first time, so I was like, OK, just get my foot down and let's get the barrel out," said Cox, who was 2-for3 with four RBI. "I was happy that not even that it went out, but that I was just able to execute the adjustments there." Grein retired the last six Maryland batters of the game to close out the win for the Ducks. Notable: The first inning sacrifice fly was Oregon's NCAA-best and school record 31st of the season … It was Oregon's third sweep in conference play this season (Penn State, Iowa) and the first road sweep … With 10 strikeouts, Grein passed Sam Skillingstad (398, 2009-12) for eighth on the UO career strikeouts list with an even 400. Quotable Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi on the Ducks' ability to win all three games in different ways "I think it's really important. After every game we talk about how the next game is not even going to look the same. And so it's just continuing to stay in our process and know that there may be some adverse moments, but it doesn't matter. If we just continue to have each other's back, play for each other, play with each other, good things happen." Sophomore catcher Emma Cox "I think we have a really versatile team, and I think we have a really tough lineup to throw through, and I think we got speed, we have power, but most of all, we have girls who want to win, and, it doesn't really matter what it looks like. We're just trying to win every single time, and we believe that we're gonna win, which is the most important part." Up Next: Oregon hosts No. 22 Washington in a three-game series that begins Friday at Jane Sanders Stadium (6 p.m., B1G+). "We are really excited," said Lombardi. "We cannot wait to welcome our alumni. We've been planning this weekend for a very, very long time, and we are ready to roll out the red carpet for them so they can have just an unbelievable weekend back home."

ON DECK No. 15/17 Oregon heads to the East Coast for its first visit to Maryland. The Ducks and Terrapins play a three-game series Friday through Sunday at Maryland Softball Stadium. Friday's game is on Big Ten Network. The two teams have played six times with Oregon holding a 4-2 lead. The teams last met in 2024 when the Ducks and Terrapins split a pair of games in the Jane Sanders Classic. NUMBERS * 12 - Oregon is No. 12 in the current RPI rankings. * 15 - Oregon has 15 come-from-behind wins this season. * 16 - Oregon has played the 16th most difficult schedule nationally. * 27 - Oregon leads the NCAA with a program-record 27 sacrifice flies. * 28 - 28 of Oregon's 35 games have come against teams in the top 75 of the RPI (28 vs. the top 100). * 6 - Elon Butler broke Big Ten and Oregon single-game records with 6 hits vs. Iowa. * 12 - Oregon has won 12 straight Big Ten series, dating back to last season. * 16 - Elon Butler leads the Big Ten and is third nationally with 16 doubles. * 18 - Lyndsey Grein has won 18 games, second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally *139 - Lyndsey Grein has 139 K's which is second in the Big Ten (13th nationally). IOWA POWER SURGE In the three-game series with Iowa, Oregon hit .404 (36-of-89) with 30 runs, five doubles, four triples, five home runs and 28 RBI. The team slugged .719 and had a .471 on-base percentage. CYCLE POWER Elon Butler hit for the cycle April 4 against Iowa. She is the first Duck in program history to hit for the cycle. Butler singled in the first, tripled in the second, homered in the fourth and doubled in the seventh. She also set a Big Ten and UO record with six hits against the Hawkeyes. She was named Softball America National Player of the Week and Big Ten Player of the Week after hitting .583 with a double, a triple, two home runs and five RBI. She slugged 1.333 and had a .583 on-base percentage as the Ducks swept Iowa. She currently leads the team in batting (.325), doubles (16), hits (52), home runs (12), RBI (48), runs (46), on-base percentage (.527) and slugging percentage (.924). HO NAMED FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK For her efforts in Oregon;s sweep of Iowa, Tayrn ho was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Aoril 6). Ho hit .556 (5-of-9) with a triple and five RBI in the three-game sweep. She singled and scored a run in Oregon's 10-1 win in the opener. Saturday, she helped Oregon come from behind and win, 14-13, in eight innings. Down 7-4 in the third inning, Ho hit a two-run triple to bring the Ducks within one. She then singled and scored in the fifth inning and drove in a run with her third hit of the game in the sixth inning. Her RBI ground out in the seventh inning brought the Ducks to within 13-12, before the next batter, Stefini Ma'ake, tied the game. She had a hit and an RBI in Oregon's 6-2 game three win and also tagged two runners out at third base on a double play that ended the top of fourth inning. She was perfect in the field with five put out, nine assists and no errors. CONSISTENT K-DUB Kaylynn Jones - aka K-Dub - has been Oregon's most consistent hitter this season. Currently with a .387 average, she's hit .300 or better every weekend (and .350-plus at all five tournaments): Week 1 - .400 (NFCA Leadoff Classic), Week 2 - .462 (Cardinal Classic), Week 3 - .353 (Mary Nutter Classic), Week 4 - .364 (Oregon Classic), Week - .375 (Jane Sanders Classic), Week 6 - .300 (Penn State), Week 7 - .353 (Purdue/Indiana), Week 8 -.444 (Northwestern) and Week 9 - .400 (Iowa). BUTLER CLEANS UP ON DOUBLES, RBI Elon Butler leads the Big Ten and is third nationally with a career-high 16 doubles. That's tied for fifth on the UO single season list and just two off the school record. She also has three six-RBI games this season and a fourth game with five runs driven in to lead the Ducks with 48 RBI. With 12 home runs this season, Butler now has recorded double digit home runs all four years in college. GETTING THE RUNNER HOME FROM THIRD Oregon leads the NCAA with a program tying 27 sacrifice flies. Emma Cox leads the team with six. Amari Harper and Stefini Ma'ake have five apiece. Rylee McCoy has three and Addison Amaral, Elon Butler and Kaylynn Jones all have two.

Good comments, thanks for your insight. Overall they are a young team and watching they continue to evolve.

EUGENE, Ore. — If you listen to Coach Melyssa Lombardi talk about her team, she often returns to the same metaphor: the engine. For a team to compete in the deep waters of the Big Ten and beyond, they can't just rely on one facet of the game. They need to be firing on all cylinders. Against Iowa this past weekend, the engine wasn’t just running—it was purring. In a dominant weekend sweep at Jane Sanders Stadium, the Oregon Ducks (29-9, 10-2 Big Ten) proved they can win in as many ways as there are innings in a game. "We were talking about, like, it's time to take it up another level," Lombardi said following Sunday’s 6-2 finale. "Can we go to another gear as a team? And I think this series certainly shows that we did that." Cylinder 1: Dominance in the CircleThe weekend began Friday with a masterclass in pitching. The Ducks silenced the Hawkeye bats, setting a tone of inevitability. Lyndsey Grein continued her stellar campaign, moving to 18-4 on the season. But perhaps more importantly for the "engine" was the emergence of Taylour Spencer, who earned her first career save on Sunday. By pounding the zone and retiring eight of nine batters, Spencer showed that the Ducks have the depth to "bridge" games and keep opponents off-balance. Cylinder 2: Breaking Out the BatsOn Saturday, the Ducks turned a slugfest into a statement. Whether it was the speed of Ayanna Shaw—who notched her first home run of the season on Sunday—or the veteran poise of Amari Harper, the lineup is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. A key tactical highlight? The Ducks extended their single-season record for sacrifice flies to 27. This isn't just luck; it’s "situational hitting" at its finest, a philosophy Shaw credited after the game: "Nobody on, trying to get on base; runners on, trying to drive them in." Cylinder 3: Flashing the LeatherIf the first two games were about power and precision, Sunday was about grit. The Ducks’ defense was the undisputed highlight of the series finale. Freshman shortstop Taryn Ho and second baseman Kaylynn Jones were a vacuum in the middle infield, turning potential Iowa rallies into highlights. The turning point came in the fourth inning: a relay from Harper to Ho that resulted in a chaotic, brilliant double-play during a rundown. "Defense wins championships," Lombardi noted. "There’s times where different cylinders have to take on more strain. To see the defense get us out of a couple of big-time innings... was huge." The Road Ahead: Shifting into High GearThe Ducks now head to Maryland with a 10-2 conference record and a clear sense of identity. They aren't just a "pitching team" or a "hitting team" anymore. They are a balanced unit that can win a 1-0 pitcher’s duel, a 10-8 shootout, or a defensive grind. As they prepare for the final month of the regular season, the goal is simple: maintain the momentum, secure the home-field advantage for May, and keep those three cylinders firing in unison. FishDuck Discussion Point: Which of the "Three Cylinders" do you think is most critical for the Ducks to maintain as they head into the postseason? Is the defense the hidden X-factor for this squad?

EUGENE, Ore. — The Ducks were dominant in the circle Friday, broke out the bats Saturday and flashed the leather Sunday. A team that wants to be firing on all cylinders for the final month of the regular season was certainly doing so against Iowa over the weekend. The finale was a 6-2 victory for the Oregon softball team, before a sun-soaked crowd of 2,056 at Jane Sanders Stadium. UO middle infielders Kaylynn Jones and Taryn Ho combined to go 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs and an RBI, and they were right in the middle of the sparking defense the Ducks played Sunday. "Our team is amazing," said Ho, the Ducks' freshman shortstop. "We can win in every different way, and we've shown that. So just knowing we're always going to come back and we're just trusting in each other, leaning on each other, that's all we need." The Ducks are about to head out on the road for the third time in four weeks, and they'll take with them records of 29-9 overall and 10-2 in the Big Ten. April began with an emphatic sweep, and Oregon will look to maintain that momentum in hopes of securing postseason play back at The Jane come May. "Going into this weekend, we were talking about, like, it's time to take it up another level," UO coach Melyssa Lombardi said. "Like, can we go to another gear as a team? And I think this series certainly shows that we did that. You look at the first game, you look at the second and the third game, we won in all different ways. And they weren't easy ways to win." After a run-rule victory Friday, the Ducks came from behind to win a slugfest Saturday. Sunday saw them have the back of starting pitcher Lyndsey Grein (18-4) by throwing out multiple runners on the basepaths. "The defense was just my absolute highlight," Lombardi said. "I just thought the defense was tremendous. We talk about how defense wins championships, and we want to see all three cylinders, but there's times where different cylinders have to take on more strain. And to see the defense get us out of a couple of big-time innings that could have possibly gone the other way was huge." How It Happened: Jones tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Amari Harper in the first, staking Grein to an early lead. It remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth, thanks in part to that outstanding UO defense. With one out and a runner on first in the top of the fourth, the Hawkeyes hit a potential game-tying double. Harper dug the ball out of the left-field corner and hit the cut-off player, Ho — whose relay caused the lead runner to check up between third and home. Ho then scrambled to cover third, where she first tagged out the lead runner trying to get back to the base, then tagged out the batter on the play trying to stretch her double during the rundown. "We're trying to help our pitchers," Ho said. "So for us to be able to do anything to help them and get off the field so we can go hit, that's our job. So we just know what we have to do and we get it done." The Ducks thus still were up 1-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, when Ayanna Shaw made it 3-0 with a two-run homer. It was the first of the season for the speedy outfielder, who can sometimes be found at the top or bottom of the order but hit fifth Sunday, allowing her to swing away. "I kind of play it by situation," Shaw said of her approach at the player. "You know, nobody on, trying to get on base; runners on, trying to drive them in. It's by situation." Iowa broke through for two runs in the fifth, but it might have been three or more. With two runners in scoring position and nobody out, Grein fielded a comebacker and started a pickle that ended with Jones tagging out the runner from third base. Taylour Spencer came on to get the final two outs of that inning. The Ducks doubled their lead in the sixth when Jones tripled and scored on an error, Ho drove in a run and Stefini Ma'ake capped the three-run rally with a single that scored Shaw. That sent Spencer back out to close it out in the seventh, when she pitched around a one-out single to secure the win. "Loved it," Lombardi said of Spencer's outing. "She retired eight out of nine batters; came in and just pounded the zone. And that's something we talked about all week in practice, was just pounding the zone. She let her defense work behind her. I thought her look was completely different than Lyndsey's look, and you could see they were trying to figure her out, and just didn't have enough innings to do it." Notable: Spencer recorded the first save of her career. … Harper's sacrifice fly extended Oregon's single-season record this spring to 27. … Jones had two triples in a game for the second time in her career, and just the fourth time in UO history. Up Next: The Ducks open a three-game series at Maryland on Friday (3 p.m., Big Ten Network). Next Event at Maryland Apr 10 (Fri) 3:00 PM 4Days 3Hours 15Minutes 3Seconds Full Schedule

National analysts are currently keeping a close eye on the Ducks as they navigate their first season in the Big Ten, and the narrative is centered on their "power-heavy" identity. Following the 10-1 dismantling of Iowa, here is what the national softball world is saying about Oregon: 1. The "Big Ten Bully" NarrativeNational outlets like D1Softball and Softball America are noting that Oregon’s speed and power are translating perfectly to their new conference. Analysts are highlighting that the Ducks aren't just winning games; they are utilizing the run-rule (like they did against Iowa) to make a statement. Being 8-2 in Big Ten play has them firmly in the conversation for a top-three conference finish. 2. Focus on the "Transfer Impact"The "national talk" heavily features Elon Butler (Cal transfer) and Amari Harper (Texas A&M transfer). Elon Butler: Analysts are calling her one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in the country. Her "hitter’s mentality" and ability to capitalize on mistakes are being cited as the engine that makes the Oregon offense go. Amari Harper: Her multi-homer performance against Iowa caught national attention. She is being praised for her "SEC-level" power and her ability to anchor the lineup, making it nearly impossible for pitchers to find a "safe" spot in the Ducks' batting order. 3. Lyndsey Grein: The Milestone AceLyndsey Grein reaching 600 career strikeouts is a major national storyline. D1Softball specifically noted her efficiency (73 pitches for a complete game), framing her as a "Friday Night Ace" that can carry a team deep into the postseason. Her ability to shut down Big Ten offenses is cementing Oregon as a legitimate Top 20 mainstay. 4. Postseason ProjectionsCurrently ranked No. 18, analysts see Oregon as a lock for a Regional spot, with the potential to host if they continue to dominate Big Ten series. The consensus is that if the Ducks' pitching remains this consistent, their offense—which "pounded out six extra-base hits" in a single game—makes them a "nightmare matchup" for anyone in the NCAA Tournament.

EUGENE, Ore. — Elon Butler hit a leadoff home run and Amari Harper hit a pair of two-run home runs as No. 18 Oregon opened its series with Iowa with a 10-1 win in six innings Friday at Jane Sanders Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,064 that included some 30 dogs on the program's annual Bark in the Park night. Meet Elon Butler A decorated transfer from Cal, Butler arrived in Eugene with an All-American resume and hasn't missed a beat. Whether she’s sparking the offense with leadoff moonshots or driving in runs in the clutch, the San Jose native has quickly become a fan favorite at "The Jane." Her veteran presence and "hitter’s mentality" are a huge reason the Ducks are surging in Big Ten play. ' Amari Harper (#31) Senior | Utility | Corona, CA The Texas A&M transfer has been a revelation for the Ducks' lineup. Carrying a career batting average well over .300 from her time in the SEC, Harper has found a new gear in Eugene. After her two-homer performance against Iowa, she reached double-digit home runs for the first time in her career, proving to be one of the most dangerous bats in the conference. Now to the action from goducks "The energy is a big part of it," said Butler. "Our fans are great and I love playing here. This is a beautiful park, and I love everything about it. Being able to be at home and go through my routine, reset, and ground myself is helpful." Harper's home runs bookended an Oregon offense that pounded out nine hits – six of them for extra bases – to score three runs in the first, four in the fourth and three in the sixth. Harper's two-run shot in the first gave the Ducks (27-9, 8-2) a 3-0 lead. Her two-run blast in the sixth ended the game via the run rule. In the circle, Lyndsey Grein notched her 600th career strikeout and held the Hawkeyes (21-14, 5-8) to one run on two hits. She retired the side in order in every inning except the third and needed just 73 pitches to earn her 16th victory of the season. It was her fifth complete game in Big Ten play this season. "I thought Lyndsey did great," said coach Melyssa Lombardi. "She had five shutdown innings, and that is huge. I thought our defense was really good tonight as well. I thought she commanded the ball well. Just really understood her game plan." How It Happened: Hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time this season, Butler launched a 1-0 pitch into the centerfield bleachers. She became the first Duck to hit a leadoff home run since KK Humphreys in 2023. "I tried not to change anything," said Butler of hitting leadoff. "Coach Lombardi talked to me about it before and I was a little nervous but whatever I can do to help the team I'll do it. I tried to keep my same approach. "It's having a hitter's mentality every time you send me to the box," Butler said. "I'm not a person who gets a lot of strikes in the first place, so when I do see one, I have to capitalize, and I understand that as a hitter." After Butler's home run, Kaylynn Jones reached on an error and then Harper launched a 247-foot drive high into the centerfield bleachers for a 3-0 lead. Iowa scratched out a run in the third to make it 3-1. Oregon put a four-spot on the board in the bottom of the fourth to pull away from the Hawkeyes. Ayanna Shaw led off with a single and Taryn Ho followed with a base hit through the left side. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Rylee McCoy then drew a walk, but ball four was a wild pitch that allowed Shaw to score from third. After Regan Legg, who pinch-ran for McCoy, stole second, Emma Cox plated a couple of runs with a single up the middle for a 6-1 advantage. Jones picked up a two-out RBI double that made it 7-1. After Grein retired the side in order in the top of the sixth inning, Oregon brought the game to an early conclusion with a quick three runs. Katie Flannery led off with a double to the wall. Sophomore Elise Kresho, who entered the game in the top of the sixth as a defensive replacement for Butler, followed with her first career hit, a double to the gap in right center that scored Flannery. Leading 8-1 an out later, Harper drove a 1-2 pitch into the centerfield bleachers for the second time Friday night, as the Ducks wrapped up the game with a run-rule win. Notable: Harper's two-homer game was her second of the season. The other came March 13 versus Penn State … Harper's 10 home runs are a career high … Butler's home run was her team-best 11th of the season … Iowa could have had a bigger inning in the third, but the Ducks made the Hawkeyes pay for a baserunning mistake. On a single to short leftfield with runners on first and second, the runner from first didn't see the lead runner, Brianna Johnson, stop at third. As two Iowa runners retreated and then got into a run down, Oregon caught Johnson between third and home on a play that went Harper-to-Flannery-to-Ho-to-Jones-to-Cox (7-5-6-4-2) for the out. Quotable Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi on how the energy from today's Bark in the Park affected the team... "Yeah, I actually noticed that in the first inning, and I thought that was really cute. These guys love their dogs. They've been waiting for Bark in the Park. I know Kaylynn (Jones) had her dog Ace here. And when I think of dogs, I think of family and this group is just very united, and a good family. They love their dogs. So this is always a night that they enjoy every year." Outfielder Amari Harper "It's awesome. It helps us knowing we have both sides of the ball, defensively and offensively. We know we can back Lyndsey Grein up even when they're hitting harder balls. We're there for her, but we can also back her up offensively. It's awesome for us, especially coming off the road and being home with our fans and the energy they bring, so it was a good time. I look forward to carrying it into the weekend and seeing how it translates from today." Up Next: Oregon and Iowa play game two of their series Saturday at 4 p.m. (B1G+).

ROSEMONT, Ill. — No. 18 Oregon dropped the opening game of its three-game series against Northwestern, 11-3, on a challenging day weatherwise at the Ballpark at Rosemont that saw both teams commit four errors. Up Next: The Ducks and Wildcats play game two Friday at 4 p.m. PT (6 p.m. CT) at The Ballpark at Rosemont, which is the home of the AUSL's Chicago Bandits in Rosemont, Ill. The game will be carried by Big Ten Network.

🦆By a Die‑Hard Ducks Softball Fan Who Believes This Is the Year The 2026 Oregon Ducks softball season feels different — and not just because the roster looks deeper, the bats look louder, and the pitching staff looks downright unfair. It feels different because this program finally looks ready to finish what “Version Seven” started in Oklahoma City. Under Melyssa Lombardi, every year of Ducks softball has been its own “Version” — a unique blend of culture, personality, and identity. Version Seven brought Oregon back to the Women’s College World Series. But Version Eight? This one is built for something bigger. As a die‑hard fan watching this team storm into the season with swagger, grit, and attitude… I can’t help but believe: this version is the one with championship DNA. 🥎 Version Eight Starts on the Rubber — and That’s Why Oregon Can Win It AllOregon’s pitching duo isn’t just good — it’s elite, national‑title‑worthy good. Two aces who dominate different ways Two veterans who’ve pitched in pressure cookers Two leaders who set the tone and the tempo every weekend You don’t win in Oklahoma City with “a decent staff.” You win with fire‑breathers, the kind of pitchers who punch out SEC lineups with runners on and smile doing it. Version Eight has exactly that. And unlike many national contenders, Oregon doesn’t have to wonder what they’ll get from the circle. They know. That stability is gold in postseason softball. 💥 The Lineup? Version Eight Might Be Oregon’s Most Dangerous Offense EverWhat makes this version pop off the page isn’t just the returning star power — it’s the way the old guard and the new blood mesh. This lineup hits for power, sprays line drives, pressures defenses with speed, and grinds out at‑bats. It’s not dependent on one or two stars — it’s dangerous everywhere, in that “no rest for the pitcher” kind of way that separates good teams from Oklahoma City teams. Version Eight brings: Returning home‑run threats Gap‑to‑gap hitters with savvy softball IQ Transfer sluggers who add instant punch Table‑setters with speed and instincts Bench players who would start almost anywhere else This isn’t the kind of lineup that hopes to win. It’s the kind that expects to score six runs every time it laces up. 🧱 Version Eight’s Defense Has All the Ducks in a RowWhat Oregon lost to graduation, it has replaced with: range athleticism and championship‑level fundamentals Version Eight’s infield is sharp, steady, and experienced; the catching corps is the best it’s been in years; and the outfield — even with new faces — feels faster and more dynamic. Defense is the silent factor that decides super regionals. Version Eight’s is built for June. 🔥 Experience Matters — and Version Eight Has It in SpadesThe difference between a team that reaches Oklahoma City and one that wins there often comes down to simple experience: Have you been there? Have you taken the punches? Have you gotten back up? Do you know what that moment feels like? Version Seven gave Oregon that experience. Version Eight is ready to cash it in. Nothing rattles a team that’s already fought the giants under the brightest lights. 🏆 So… Can Version Eight Win the Women’s College World Series?As a lifelong Oregon softball fan, I’ve watched every era — the historic highs, the painful lows, the rebuilds, the culture resets, and now the resurgence. And I’m telling you: Version Eight is the most complete Ducks team we’ve seen since Oregon’s golden era. They have: Pitching to win a best‑of‑three Hitting to erase deficits Defense to survive pressure innings Depth to withstand tournament chaos Coaching that’s learned, evolved, and delivered Experience that can’t be faked Belief — the most important trait of all Oregon has been knocking on the door again. Version Eight isn’t here to knock. They’re here to kick it down. And if the Ducks get back to Oklahoma City — which they absolutely can — I believe this version has everything it needs to bring the trophy home to Eugene for the first time in program history.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — No. 18 Oregon broke the school's single-game scoring record AND came back from a seven-run deficit Monday at Andy Mohr Field. The Ducks (24-8) defeated Indiana 24-12, but the final score doesn't begin scratch the surface of what transpired on a windy Indiana evening. In one of the wildest games in program history, the Ducks: Lost their starting pitcher to an injury after one out in the first inning. Fell behind 7-0 after three innings. Tied the game at 7-7 in the fourth, only to watch Indiana retake the lead, 9-7, in the next half inning. Went head for the first time, 11-9, on Kaylynn Jones' three-run homer in the fifth. Saw not one, but two grand slam home runs – one each by Elon Butler and Emma Cox. Had Butler come within a double of the program's first cycle. Scored their record-breaking 24th run on senior catcher Trinity Holden's first career hit. Also set school record for hits (21) and RBI (23). Won while giving up 12 or more runs for only the second time in program history. "We've just talked a lot and we just know that as long as we have innings to work with, we have the opportunity to come back and win," said head coach Melyssa Lombardi. "I've been saying this for a long time. This is a powerful lineup and you really got to see that today." The Ducks hit four home runs on Monday and also had three doubles and a triple that contributed to the team's record totals in runs, hits and RBI. All nine starters had at least one hit and three set or tied their career highs in RBI. Butler led the way with six – her third six-RBI game of the season, while Cox and Jones both drove in five. "It was fun," said Jones. "I mean, we weren't expecting that start, but all of our girls were not going to let that determine the rest of the game, and we came back as soon as we could with each other side by side, and I just think it's great that we can do that and we're recognizing that." How It Happened: All five walks issued by Oregon in the first three innings came around to score on home runs, a three-run shot in the first and a grand slam in the third, to give Indiana (25-7) a 7-0 lead. Stefini Ma'ake and Ayanna Shaw led the fourth inning off with singles. An out later, Braiesey Rosa's hit to left center scored both runners. Walks to Cox and Katie Flannery loaded the bases for Jones, who made it 7-3 Hoosiers on a sacrifice fly. Butler followed with a two-out triple that scored Cox and Flannery, cutting Indiana's lead to 7-5. Amari Harper made it a one-run game with a single that scored Butler and Ma'ake – making her second plate appearance of the inning – doubled in Harper to tie the game at 7-7. The Hoosiers took their final lead at 9-7 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Taryn Ho got things going with a double leading off the fifth inning. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored when Cox singled to left. Flannery walked for the second time to bring up Jones. She took the first two pitches for balls, but then experienced temporary regret for not swinging at the 2-0 offering. "I got on myself for a second," said Jones. "My dad always tells me never to swing 2-0, and I didn't and it was the fattest pitch ever. So I was ready to crank it again and she gave me that same pitch so it felt good." Jones did not miss on the 2-1 pitch, depositing it well beyond the wall in right field. Her third home run of the season gave the Ducks a lead at 11-9 that they wouldn't relinquish. Oregon scored six two-out runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by Butler's grand slam – her 10th homer of the season – and Harper's eighth long ball of 2026. In the seventh inning, the first three Oregon batters reached ahead of Cox, who hit her first career grand slam which made it 21-11 at that point. An out later, Jones walked and then scored when a throw trying to get Butler at first went into right field. Butler, who went to third on the error, scored Ducks' 23rd run of the game on Harper's sacrifice fly. Oregon reloaded the bases on a hit, a walk and hit batter. Holden, who pinch-hit for Rosa, then slapped a sharp single into left field as her first career hit plated the Ducks' record-breaking 24th run of the game. "I just loved watching her," said Lombardi. "She came up, she was ready to swing. I knew that if she got her pitch, she was gonna hit it hard." Single-Game Records 24 runs, all games, and 24 runs, conference game (previous record 23, vs. Oregon State, March 15, 2015) 21 hits (previous record 20, vs. Saint Mary's, March 7, 1993, and at Rutgers, March 29, 2025) 23 RBI (previous record 21, March 29, 2025) The only other time on record that Oregon won while giving up 12 or more runs was a 23-12 win against Oregon State on March 15, 2015. Notable: The seven-run deficit was the biggest overcome of the Lombardi era. The previous best was six runs against Portland State on April 23, 2019 … Oregon hit two more sacrifice flies on Monday, the program's 21st and 22nd of the season. That's the third best mark in program history and only three off the school record of 25 (2015, 2025) … Lyndsey Grein earned her team-best 14th win of the season … Katie Flannery made her 100th career start at 3rd base … Taryn Ho had the first two-double game of her career. Starter Elise Sokolsky had to exit the game with one out in the bottom of the first due to an apparent injury … Monday's game was a nonconference game. The Ducks and Indiana don't play a Big Ten series this season. Quotable Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi on how the team bounced back from being down 7-0 "Resiliency. That's how I would describe this group. We were down seven to zero at one point in the game, and if you were to look in this dugout, they were extremely loose. They were into the game. They were having good at-bats, knowing that we were going to find a way to come back and win, to see everybody contribute, not just the starters, but also have Trinity come off the bench, Remington (Hewitt), just everybody who came in did something." Up Next: The Ducks begin a three-game series with Northwestern Thursday at The Ballpark at Rosemont, which is the home of the AUSL's Chicago Bandits in Rosemont, Ill.

EUGENE, Ore. – Lyndsey Grein, who threw two complete games to defeat Purdue in West Lafayette twice over the weekend, has been named the Wilson/NFCA Division I National Pitcher of the week, that organization announced Tuesday. The senior from Mokena, Ill., was 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA in the Purdue series. She struck out 20, walked three and allowed one run on eight hits. She held opponents to a .151 batting average. In the series opener on Friday, she threw a four-hit shutout to lead Oregon to a 6-0 victory. She struck out 11 and walked one. Sunday, Grein allowed one run on three hits in the Ducks' 2-1 victory. She struck out eight and walked one and didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning. She also threw two scoreless innings in Saturday's game. Grein leads the Big Ten in strikeouts (119) and is 14-3 on the season.

Thanks Charles if feels good to be back Have invited Jack Loe to join us. I leqrned yesterday that he is friends with Steve Fountaine's sister Linda