In the sixth inning with two outs and the bases loaded, Oregon second baseman and two-hole hitter Kaylynn Jones punched a single past the diving Hornet shortstop to get the Ducks a 7-6 win over Sacramento at the Jane Sanders Classic Friday night.
The clutch hit completed a comeback from a 6-2 deficit in the top of the third. Pitcher Lindsey Grein threw 4.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win, her eighth against three losses. She struck out eight and allowed only one hit.
Comeback win over Beavs highlights 4-0 week
Ranked No. 18 in the D1 softball rankings compiled by ESPN and USA Softball, the Ducks reached 17-6 with a pair of comeback wins at the Classic. In their tournament opener they topped traditional in-state rival Oregon State 8-3 after spotting the Beavs three runs in the top of the first.
A two-run homer by left fielder Amari Harper got them back the lead in the bottom of the fourth, her first of the year. She doubled home Elon Butler for an insurance run in the sixth.
In the circle, Elise Sokolsky started and pitched 4.1 innings for the win, striking out four. Grein closed it out with 2.2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief, striking out four and walking none. She retired the last seven in a row after one batter reached on a fielder's choice, striking out the side in the final inning to slam the door.
CLUTCH!!!
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) March 7, 2026
Kaylynn Jones comes through with a two-run single and the Ducks lead for the first time tonight!
E6 | Ducks 7, Hornets 6#GoDucks | #Version♾️ pic.twitter.com/fhJadGUSiQ
Play continues at the Jane Sanders Classic today with the Ducks taking on Nevada at 3:30 followed by a rematch with Sac State at 6 p.m. PT. They open Big Ten play Friday March 13 with a three-game home series versus Penn State, currently 18-4.
Cal transfer Butler and Ayanna Shaw have been the sparkplugs of a potent offense. Shaw's hitting .446 out of the leadoff spot with seven stolen bases. Butler has smashed six home runs and 11 doubles while driving in 27, hitting a robust .464, sixth in the league.
The Oregon women reached the final eight at the College World Series last season, and this year's Version 8 looks to capture another league title and trip to the tournament. They'll have to contend with UCLA: The Bruin twosome of Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery have combined for 30 home runs over the first 22 games.