Oregon’s softball team secured two victories at the Oregon Classic on Friday, defeating Stetson 10-1 in five innings and edging Idaho State 4-3 in extra innings at Jane Sanders Stadium. The Ducks improved their season record to 10-6.
Pitcher Lyndsey Grein played a key role, throwing four perfect innings against Stetson with eight strikeouts before being relieved by Rowan Thompson. Grein returned in the second game to pitch three more perfect innings against Idaho State, retiring all nine batters she faced and earning her sixth win of the season.
Elon Butler was central to Oregon’s offense, collecting eight runs batted in over both games. She hit a grand slam and tied her career high with six RBIs against Stetson—a feat she previously accomplished while playing for California in 2024 at the same stadium. Across Friday’s doubleheader, Butler went 5-for-7 with two doubles, a home run, and three runs scored.
“I’ve experienced Elon at The Jane crushing it, but on the other side of it,” said associate head coach Sam Marder. “She does really well here; I think she had eight RBIs today.
“She’s truly a veteran and mature player, and we needed her,” said Marder. “She’s amazing, and I love that she’s on our side of this now. She’s a fierce athlete, and believe me, she wants that moment at the end.”
In the first game against Stetson (13-4), Oregon built an early lead as Kaylynn Jones walked to start the bottom of the first inning and scored alongside Ayanna Shaw on Butler’s double. Butler later stole home for a 3-0 advantage after one inning.
Butler continued her strong performance with a grand slam in the second inning—her first as an Oregon player—after walks loaded the bases. Addison Amaral contributed her first home run as a Duck in the third inning following Taryn Ho’s single.
“I’m so happy for Addison,” said Marder. “I mean, that’s a player you know has had to battle early things this season that maybe she hasn’t before in her career, and that speaks to her toughness and to her character.
“She’s been working really hard, and so it’s one of those things where you see her hit that home run, and as a coach, you’re just so happy for her because she’s been needing that to get her going.”
Oregon added another run in the fourth when Braiesey Rosa singled up the middle to bring Shaw home.
Against Idaho State (8-8), Oregon twice came from behind. After falling behind by two runs due to an Idaho State homer in the second inning, Oregon tied it up with runs in both the third—when Butler drove Jones home—and fourth innings thanks to Ho’s triple followed by Emma Cox’s sacrifice fly.
Idaho State briefly retook the lead after Kira Day doubled and pinch-hitter Jade Moore drove Day home with another double. In response during Oregon’s half of the sixth inning, Butler led off with a double before Stefini Ma’ake was hit by a pitch; Ho sacrificed both runners forward before Cox grounded out to tie it again at three apiece.
Grein entered relief duty late in regulation play for Oregon and pitched three flawless innings—including six strikeouts—to keep Idaho State scoreless through extra frames.
With international tie-breaker rules placing a runner on second base starting extras, Butler opened Oregon’s eighth-inning turn with another double into left field—securing not only victory but also recording her eighth RBI of day’s play.
“My first thought was ‘We’re winning this game.’ I had no doubt in myself or in my teammates that we were going to win this game,” said Butler. “Even if I were to end up getting out, I knew the people behind me had my back.”
Friday’s opening win marked Oregon’s 150th all-time victory at Jane Sanders Stadium. Notable individual performances included Ayanna Shaw scoring three times versus Idaho State; Amanda Urbina made her debut appearance as an Oregon player during Friday evening action.
Outfielder Elon Butler commented on playing at Jane Sanders Stadium: “I love it here. It was good to play my first home game. It was amazing and everyone had so much fun.”
Pitcher Lyndsey Grein praised catcher Emma Cox: “Emma Cox does a really good job making me look good behind the plate. For me, it’s just throwing the ball through her mitt and working with her, Coach Lombardi, and my teammates, and trusting our process and how we go about it. It’s easy to pitch when you have a defense like ours.”
The Ducks will continue their participation in the tournament Saturday with games scheduled against Stetson at 3:30 p.m., followed by Samford at 6 p.m.
