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Oregon books ticket back to Oklahoma City for first time since 2018

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby: Brady Vernon05/25/25BradyVernon
Screenshot 2025-05-24 at 6.20.50 PM
Photo by GoDucks.com

Melyssa Lombardi had the tall task of rebuilding the Oregon softball program after Mike White’s departure. And now, her team has booked a ticket back to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2018. The Ducks ended Liberty’s Cinderella story after their 13-1 victory on Saturday to win the Eugene Super Regional.

Lyndsey Grein, who has struggled the last few weeks, allowed a leadoff homer to Savannah Woodard. Rachel Roupe followed with a single up the middle. It seemed as if Grein was headed toward another short outing. However, she responded with three straight strikeouts to end the inning.

Grein spun it incredibly well the rest of the way, looking like the player who won Softball America’s Most Improved award. She retired the next 19 batters she faced until an infield single in the seventh broke up the streak. Grein ended the contest with 10 strikeouts.

Oregon didn’t wait long to back up their pitcher. Paige Sinicki opened the second inning with a solo shot to tie the game. The Ducks pushed Liberty starter Kaylan Yoder from the game after loading the bases. Kai Luschar took advantage of downballer Paige Bachman, hitting a sharp one into the ground and running out an infield single to score another run.

Grein didn’t need much more offense, but the bats keep going for the Ducks. Kaylynn Jones and Katie Flannery hit back-to-back doubles to open the fourth inning. The first two batters reached in the fifth for Oregon. Emma Cox lined a hard foul ball down the left field line. The next pitch, she straightened it out, blasting a three-run homer.

Oregon exploded in the seventh for seven for runs. Softball America All-American Rylee McCoy returned to the lineup for the first time since she was struck by a line drive in the Eugene Regional finale against Stanford. She collected a pair of hits.

Oregon will face the winner of the Columbia Super Regional (UCLA-South Carolina) on the first day of the Women’s College World Series next Thursday.

More from Softball America:

Super Regional Coverage
Coaching Carousel Discussion Board
Transfer Portal Wire

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