EUGENE, Ore. — On Easter Sunday, the No. 18 Oregon Ducks softball team took on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the final game of the series, looking to complete the sweep after winning the first two matchups. Oregon entered the game with momentum following a close Saturday contest that ended in extra innings on a walk-off by Emma Cox. The Ducks capped off the weekend with a 6-2 victory to secure the series sweep.
After a quick top of the first inning, Oregon struck early once again when Kaylynn Jones reached scoring position with a triple and later came home on a sacrifice fly by Amari Harper, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
Oregon’s defense remained strong through the opening innings, holding Iowa scoreless. Starting pitcher Lyndsey Grein allowed just one hit through the first three innings and retired every other batter she faced. The Ducks attempted to generate more offense, but unlike the previous game, they were unable to capitalize, as Iowa pitcher Carly Brewer needed just four pitches to close out the inning and maintain the one-run deficit.
“I love playing behind all my pitchers and doing what I can to help them out,” said Ayanna Shaw.
The Ducks continued to shine defensively in the fourth inning. After a hit down the left field line, Harper fired the ball to Katie Flannery at third as Kiara Sipe attempted to score. Sipe was caught in a rundown, which quickly turned into a double play. In the same sequence, Leah McAnally attempted to advance to third but was also thrown out by Taryn Ho.
“Rundowns always occur during practice,” said Ho. “When it comes to game time, it’s easy. It’s nothing special, just staying relaxed and doing what we know how to do.”
Momentum carried into the Ducks’ offense as well. After Harper was robbed of a home run in right field, Shaw stepped up and blasted a two-run home run to center field, also bringing Cox home and extending Oregon’s lead to 3-0. The hit marked Shaw’s first collegiate home run.
Iowa responded in the fifth inning, putting pressure on Oregon with two runners in scoring position. After a single brought in a run, head coach Melissa Lombardi made a circle visit and called on Taylour Spencer to relieve Grein with runners on first and third and one out. The Hawkeyes added another run later in the inning, as Echo Mattiello scored to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Oregon maintained the lead.
Jones added to her standout performance in the sixth inning, recording her second triple of the game. The play was later ruled an inside-the-park home run after a throwing error by the center fielder allowed the ball to go out of play. Following a single by Cox, Iowa turned to Braylen Conlon in the circle.
“I thought [Jones] did really well all weekend,” Lombardi said. “She was constantly on base and came up with big hits. She’s a sophomore, but you’d think she was a senior with the way she’s been playing.”
A wild pitch moved runners into scoring position, prompting another pitching change as Iowa brought in Serayah Neiss, who had started the previous game. Ho and Stefini Ma’ake then delivered back-to-back RBIs, extending Oregon’s lead to 6–2 heading into the final inning.
The Ducks closed it out in the seventh, recording the final three outs to secure the win.
“The defense was the absolute highlight,” Lombardi said. “We talk about how defense wins championships, and to see them get us out of a couple of big-time innings that could have gone the other way was huge.”
After struggling defensively in Game 2, Oregon responded in a big way. Ho stood out in particular, contributing to the fourth-inning double play and making a diving catch to record another key out, while also adding an RBI at the plate.
“It’s amazing learning next to these players with so much experience,” Ho said. “All I can do is grow from playing alongside them. I can’t wait for what the future holds.”
Oregon will return to action next weekend with a series against Maryland beginning Friday, April 10.