For No. 6 Oregon Softball (40-4, 13-1 Big Ten), this season has been a roller coaster of intense emotions in the pitching circle.
Virginia Tech transfer junior pitcher Lyndsey Grein has emerged as a standout this season, especially after leading her team to a stunning 3-1 upset over No. 5 UCLA (40-6, 12-2 Big Ten). It snapped the Bruins’ 12-game win streak and helped Oregon tie for the most wins in Division I softball this season.
As of Friday, Grein ranks No. 5 among NCAA DI pitchers this season. She’s also in the top 10 for lowest ERA and leads the nation in fewest hits allowed per seven innings, with just 60 given up.
“I thought she did a great job of not trying to do too much and trusting her plan,” Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi said.
Grein held Megan Grant, the DI leader in home runs, hitless in two at-bats, striking her out and intentionally walking her.
“Grant is an excellent hitter,” Lombardi said. “She’s probably one of the best hitters in the country. To keep the ball in the yard was huge for us.”.
The victory marked a monumental moment for Oregon softball as the upset proved that this team is on track for a 2025 Big Ten regular season conference title.
Redshirt junior pitcher Elise Sokolsky entered in the sixth inning and closed the door on any potential Bruins rally—a familiar storyline for the Ducks this year.
“We talk a lot about just belief in this team. We knew we were gonna win, we just didn’t know how," Sokolsky said. "So it's just really cool to be able to fall back on that and be like I had this belief and this is why…I was just going out there to do what I needed to do to shut the door on them.”
The numbers speak for themselves—Oregon has proven its resilience and depth with its season record. However, improvements can still be made offensively. The Ducks have allowed five teams to score five or more runs against them. If Oregon can shut down its opponents' momentum early, to control the pace of the game, it will take pressure off the offense. This will allow for more scoring opportunities without constantly having to play catch-up.
“Whenever we talk about those hugs, it’s a continuation, rather than a passing of the ball," Sokolsky said of describing the pitching transitions.
With two series matchups left versus B1G opponents—the Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan State Spartans—if Oregon can finish out the rest of the season and remain consistent with its pitching performances, this team will have a shot in the postseason.