EUGENE, Ore. — Under sunny skies to start the weekend, the No. 18 Oregon Ducks softball team took on the Iowa Hawkeyes in game two of a three-game series after defeating Iowa 10-1 in six innings on Friday. Oregon entered the day 7-2 in conference play and improved to 8-2 after a dramatic 14-13 extra-inning win to secure the series.
Freshman starting pitcher Maddie Milhorn opened the game strong, striking out the first batter and helping Oregon to a quick 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.
Elon Butler reached base to begin the bottom half, and after a sacrifice bunt from Amari Harper moved runners into scoring position, Emma Cox delivered with a single to bring in two runs and give Oregon an early lead.
Iowa responded quickly, as Leah McAnally led off the inning with a home run to left field. Milhorn regrouped, striking out two more batters to limit further damage.
Oregon continued its aggressive approach at the plate in the second inning. Stefini Ma’ake singled on the first pitch, followed by a double from Elyse Kresho. Butler then drove in two more runs with a triple to extend the Ducks’ lead to 4-1.
“I like that we have aggression. I think it goes a long way for us, whether that’s the plate or on the field,” head coach Melissa Lombardi said. “I thought they had great aggression today. They saw it, and they hit it.”
Iowa battled back in the third inning, scoring multiple runs behind key hits from Tory Bennett and others to take the lead. Milhorn was relieved by Rowan Thompson mid-inning, but the Hawkeyes continued to capitalize, eventually pushing their lead to 7-4 before Milhorn returned to finish the inning.
The Ducks responded again, cutting into the deficit after Taryn Ho tripled to drive in two runs, making it 7-6. However, Iowa continued to apply pressure, hitting multiple home runs across the fourth and fifth innings to extend its lead to 11-8.
Despite the deficit, Oregon’s offense stayed consistent. Butler continued her standout performance with another home run, while the Ducks added runs in every inning to stay within reach.
Lyndsey Grein entered in relief in the sixth inning after pitching a complete game the day before. Although Iowa extended its lead to 13-8, Grein stabilized the defense and helped Oregon stay within striking distance.
“She’s got so much experience that we’ve probably thrown her in every single situation possible,” Lombardi said about Grein. “She’s been there, she’s done it, and she wants the ball.”
Oregon chipped away in the bottom of the sixth, scoring another run and loading the bases, but Iowa escaped the inning still leading 13-9.
Grein then delivered a crucial 1-2-3 inning in the seventh, giving the Ducks a final chance.
In the bottom of the seventh, Butler sparked the comeback with a double, continuing her perfect day at the plate as she got the first cycle in program history. After a walk to Kaylynn Jones and a single from Harper, Oregon began to close the gap. Cox added another RBI single, and a throwing error allowed runners to advance into scoring position.
After Iowa recorded the first out, Ma’ake delivered a clutch single to tie the game, sending the crowd at Jane Sanders Stadium into a frenzy and forcing extra innings.
“I love our crowd… to see the Jane absolutely packed and how much our fan base loves to come and watch these guys play,” Lombardi said.
In the eighth inning, Oregon held Iowa scoreless. In the bottom half, Butler and Jones both singled to put two runners on base. After a pitching change, a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and Harper was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Cox then delivered the game-winning walk-off sacrifice fly, bringing Butler home to secure a 14-13 victory.
“Ayanna looked at me, and she was like, ‘You got this?’ and I got the message,” Cox said. “In that moment… I’m in the box, and I’m like, this is what I dreamed of. My one thought was to do damage.”
Butler was the standout performer of the game, going 6-for-6, adding two more hits to her historic cycle including a solo home run .
“Elon’s been an excellent offensive player for this group. We come off of defense and she’s giving them the plan and they’re getting after it,” Lombardi said.
The Ducks’ pitching staff struggled at times, allowing four home runs and 12 hits, but the offense carried the team, scoring in every inning. Iowa scored in five consecutive innings, including a six-run third.
“This group was not stressed,” Lombardi said. “We scored in every single inning… our offense was ready to take on that challenge.”
Oregon closed out the series win and prepared for the final game against Iowa on Easter Sunday, April 5.