Kai Luschar (22) slides for the third base. The University of Oregon Ducks Women’s Softball team in a home match against Loyola Chicago at Jane Sanders Field in Eugene, Ore., on Mar. 1, 2025. (Rowan Campbell/Emerald).
A strong showing for a pair of Oregon softball players featured a new, coveted designation: best in the country.
Two days after the Ducks wrapped up their undefeated 5-0 Mary Nutter Classic, Lyndsey Grein was honored as the NFCA National Pitcher of the Week. Rylee McCoy’s performance was also honored, bringing home D1 Softball’s National Freshman of the Week honors.
Grein, the NCAA leader with nine wins this season, and McCoy, who has been a staple at the top of the Ducks’ lineup and is tied for second in the Big Ten with seven home runs by late February, both took home the Big Ten’s weekly honors as best pitcher and best freshman.
Perhaps no two players better represent the Ducks’ recent surge than McCoy and Grein. Both newcomers have filled their roles with ease, helping add some stability to a team that lost seven seniors a year ago.
Oregon’s hype train was already rolling after the Ducks lost just one game — in extra innings — over their first pair of weekends. But, the Mary Nutter Classic provided a different kind of challenge for them to prove their mettle.
Over that undefeated weekend, Oregon defeated five teams that played in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
“I love this team,” head coach Melyssa Lombardi said. “I love the way they compete. The hard work they’ve been putting in — they’re starting to reap the harvest. They’re starting to understand their identity. This was a big weekend for us.”
Grein and McCoy have certainly been lauded for their strong performances, but the rest of the roster has included its fair share of breakouts, as well.
Other freshmen Stefini Ma’ake and Emma Cox — who were both named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week in weeks prior — have been terrific at the top of the Ducks’ lineup. Elise Sokolsky has built upon her strong 2024 with a 2.92 ERA in the circle through three tournaments.
At 15-1, the Ducks are off to their best start since 2021 (24-1), while playing all 16 of their first games on the road. Oregon will look to continue its hot start at home, hosting tournaments starting Feb. 28 and March 7.