Oregon Ducks News: 40-4 and looking for more, Hardball heroes, Lanning closes in on five-star defensive linemen

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 Rylee McCoy's two-out solo home run in the fourth inning gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead Friday night. Lyndsey Grein struck out eight for her 24th win as the Ducks edged No. 5 UCLA 3-1.
Rylee McCoy's two-out solo home run in the fourth inning gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead Friday night. Lyndsey Grein struck out eight for her 24th win as the Ducks edged No. 5 UCLA 3-1. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Grein paces Ducks in tense opener

Lyndsey Grein struck out eight in five and one-third scoreless innings to lead the softball Ducks to a 3-1 win over No. 5 UCLA. Rylee McCoy and Kedre Luschar blasted home runs, while Elise Sokolsky struck out two batters in the sixth and closed it out in the seventh for her fourth save.

Grinsell spins a gem

Friday night starter Grayson Grinsell threw a complete-game two hitter, striking out seven and walking one to earn a 2-1 win over No. 10 UCLA in PK Park. Dominic Hellman drove in both runs with a two-out single in the fourth and a leadoff home run in the sixth.

Five-star defensive lineman enters portal

While the Ducks have one of the most solid and well-balanced rosters in college football as they wrap up spring practice, five-star defensive tackle David Stone entered the transfer portal after one season at Oklahoma.

Stone, 6-3, 313 had a final five of OU, Texas A&M, Oregon, Florida, Miami and Michigan State when he committed to the Sooners in August 2023. The SEC does not grant immediate waivers for players transferring within the conference, limiting his options somewhat the second time around.

Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti has a strong unit led by A'Mauri Washington, Aydin Breeland and USC transfer Bear Alexander inside, but Stone remains one of the biggest prizes in the spring portal. Depth and competition on the d-line is always an enormous plus.

Oregon backup punter Luke Dunne entered the portal on Friday, the second Duck to do so this spring after third-team cornerback Rodrick Pleasant, a 10.16 sprinter in the 100 meters.

Ducks scrimmage with big-time recruits in town

On the gridiron Oregon holds its second scrimmage of spring practice Saturday with a massive list of high-profile visitors scheduled for this weekend and the Spring Game on April 26th, 1 p.m. at Autzen Stadium.

Among them is Richard Wesley, a five-star defensive end from Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, Calif., 6-5, 250.

Five-star offensive tackle and No. 1 overall recruit Jackson Cantwell flies in next week from Nixa, Missouri, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation and a national champion in the shot put.

Other top visitors include 6-5, 200 Bishop Gorman safety Jett Washington, elite Mater Dei receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, cornerback Elbert Hill, safety Jireh Edwards and linebacker Nick Abrams.

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