Ducks beat USC for top 2027 edge rusher
During a weekend visit to Eugene 2027 four-star Prince Tavison committed to Oregon, Dan Lanning's first commitment of the class.
He's a 6-4, 235 edge rusher with power and quickness who had 14 sacks last season for Lincoln High School in San Diego, the California State I-AA Champions last season.
Oregon softball eliminated at College World Series
Plucky, spirited and incredibly fun to watch, Big Ten Champions and 54-10 this season, Melyssa Lombardi's Ducks fell 4-1 Sunday night at the Softball College World Series in Oklahoma City Sunday night.
Dezianna Patmon's solo home run in the second gave them a 1-0 lead, but the Sooners got a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, a two-run blast in the third and another solo shot in the fifth.
The Ducks couldn't solve OU relief pitcher Sam Landry, who allowed just two hits over the last 4.1 innings and struck out six with a beguiling changeup.
They say good-bye to a wonderful cast of seniors, Patmon, shortstop and captain Paige Sinicki, the Luschar sisters, Kai and Kedre.
Also graduating are pitcher Staci Chambers, who pitched brilliantly in their elimination-game wins over Stanford at the Eugene Regional and reserve catcher Abby Mulvey.
In addition to their tremendous heart, togetherness and resilience, this was a squad with an Honor Roll academic average.
Picked No. 24 at the beginning of the year, they made the College World Series for the first time since 2018 and finished in the top six in the country.
There's a tremendous nucleus for next season. Ace pitchers Lyndsey Grein and Elise Sokolsky are both juniors. Third baseman Katie Flannery is a sophomore.
Four freshman started this season and contributed massively to the championship drive, Kaylynn Jones, second base, Rylee McCoy, first base, catcher Emma Cox and designated player/first baseman Stefini Ma'ake.
The Ducks batted .345 as a team and stole a school-record 175 bases. They hit 86 home runs, 19 by McCoy, a Freshman All-American. The pitching staff posted an ERA of 2.47, paced by Grein, who racked up a 30-3 record, and Sokolsky, 17-5 with a 2.09 ERA.
A legacy of great quarterbacks
It's 89 days until Oregon football, and when Dante Moore or Austin Novosad take the first snap against Montana State on August 30, they'll be heirs to a great tradition.