Jones, Grein Lead Ducks to Series Win

Saturday, March 28

Evanston, IL

10:00 AM

University of Oregon

26-9, 7-2

Northwestern

16-16, 4-5

Oregon

Northwestern

03/28/26 | Softball

Box Score #18 Oregon 4, Northwestern 0

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Kaylyn Jones' two-run home run backed six solid innings from Lyndsey Grein as No. 18 Oregon defeated Northwestern, 4-2, Sunday at the Ballpark at Rosemont to win the series two-games-to-one.

It was the 11^th straight Big Ten series win for Oregon (26-9, 7-2) dating back to last season.

The contest was halted with Oregon leading 7-3 in the seventh inning after the game reached the mutually agreed upon time limit. Per NCAA rules in such situations, the official score reverts back to the final completed inning.

"It's unfortunate, because nobody wants a game to end like that," said coach Melyssa Lombardi. "That said, I liked our approach today. Our team battled and fought their way to win an important road series against a tough opponent."

Grein allowed two runs on six hits and struck out six to improve to 15-4 on the season.

The Ducks went 5-2 on their spring break trip, winning series at Purdue and Northwestern as well as taking a nonconference game at Indiana.

How It Happened: Oregon's defense set the tone early in the game. Catcher Emma Cox started a strike-out, throw-out double play when she caught a runner stealing after a Grein strikeout to end the second inning

Northwestern (16-16, 4-5) took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by Tru Medina in the bottom of the third inning.

Oregon answered by loading the bases in the top of the fourth. Cox drew a two-out walk to force in a run and tie the game at 1-1.

The Ducks scored three runs to go up 4-1 in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good.

After Ayanna Shaw singled up the middle, Kaylynn Jones drove a 2-1 pitch out to the bleachers in right field. It was her fourth home run of the season.

Elon Butler started things up again with her Big Ten-leading 15^th double of the season. One out later, Butler stole third before Tayrn Ho walked.

On the next pitch, Ho moved toward second and drew a throw from the catcher. Butler broke for home on the play and was initially ruled out as she slid home. But Oregon appealed the call and after an umpire review, the play at the plate was overturned and the Ducks took a 4-1 lead on the double steal.

Northwestern got a run back in the bottom of the fifth and then loaded the bases, but Grein got Bridget Donahey to fly out to Elyse Kresho – who entered the game as a defensive replacement at the start of the inning – in deep left field to end the inning.

Grein then retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth in what proved to be the final inning.

The early end to the game wiped out what would have been the Ducks' school record 26^th sacrifice fly of the season off the bat of Taryn Ho in the seventh inning, as well as a two-run home run by Stefini Ma'ake.

Notable: With six strikeouts, Lyndsey Grein passed Brooke Yanez (362/2020-21) for ninth on the UO career strikeouts list. Grein finished the game with 365 strikeouts.

Up Next: Oregon returns to Jane Sanders Stadium for a three-game series against Iowa April 3-5. Friday's game (6 p.m.) is the annual Bark in the Park game.