Oregon Ducks News: Bruins walk-off Oregon at CWS, recruiting woes, regional baseball at PK

Softball falls to UCLA in the bottom of the 7th

With the score tied 2-2 and two outs after midnight in Oklahoma City, the Bruins Jessica Clements blasted a two-run homer over centerfield to send Oregon into the loser's bracket at the Softball College World Series in Oklahoma City Friday morning.

They play Ole Miss Friday night at 6:30 p.m. PT for the right to stay alive in the double elimination tournament.

Paige Sinicki had tied it for the Ducks in the top of the 7th, lacing a leadoff double over the third base bag and into the corner, sliding under the tag at second. She took third on a sacrifice bunt and raced home on a grounder to third.

Originally called out, the senior shortstop was awarded the run after a long review, the review view determining that Bruin catcher Alexis Ramirez had obstructed home plate.

What's with all the decommits and 2nd-place finishes in Oregon football recruiting?

In a story Friday morning Liam Donnan of Autzen Zoo proposes that it reflects a shift in strategy, a move to focus on retaining existing players in a drive toward a championship.

Donnan writes, "Reportedly, the focus has shifted from paying out much of their NIL to high school prospects, to using the money toward roster retention and transfer players."

Baseball begins quest for return to Omaha

Friday at 6 p.m. PT at PK Park, Oregon hosts Utah Valley in the opening game of the Eugene Regional in the NCAA baseball tournament.

The 12-seeded Ducks, 42-14 on the year, haven't been to the College World Series since 1954, though they've made the Super Regionals, the round of 16, in each of the last two seasons.

Grayson Grinsell is the likely starter for the Ducks, 9-3 this season with a 2.62 ERA. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

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