In the months before, the longevity of the softball season seems more abstract, with each game of Oregon softball’s 57-game regular season representing an equal 1.85% of the season. When teams are in the lengthy grind of it, the “tomorrows” and “next weeks” leave players lacking any real finality.
But with that slog of the schedule comes the moments to take a step back and reflect on a team’s current standing. Oregon softball (20-1) is about a third of the way through its season, which means it’s no longer too early to reflect on Oregon’s hot start — one that includes the team’s longest winning streak since 2021 (15).
What’s real
The freshman
Biggest, strongest, fastest. Pick your superlative for Oregon’s freshman class — they all seem to work. Oregon’s freshman class has solidified itself as one of the best in the nation in the early going. Rylee McCoy looks like one of the best first basemen in the country. Stefini Ma’ake is a power threat every time she’s at the plate. Despite being out with an injury in the short term, Emma Cox looks like an everyday starter behind the plate for the next three years. The depth is there, too — Kaylynn Jones has taken quality at-bats and walked over 20% of the time. Oregon’s biggest strength has been its freshman class this year, and they will only get better with time.
Lyndsey Grein
Grein’s stuff and demeanor on the mound are legitimately special. Throughout her 54 innings of work on the season, Grein’s stuff has been seen to be legitimately special. She gets swing-and-misses on pitches on her poorly located pitches and sets up everything else off her fastball. It’s clear her stuff will translate against better competition, too. Oregon softball has a legitimate superstar ace on its hands in the Virginia Tech transfer.
The speed
Oregon leads the NCAA with 81 steals. Head coach Melyssa Lombardi’s Ducks can fly.
Cause for concern
Overall pitching depth
Two things can be true: Oregon softball’s pitching has been elite — excelling to the tune of a 1.71 combined ERA, 10th best in the NCAA. The Ducks also need a legitimate fourth option in the circle. Grein, Taylour Spencer and Elise Sokolsky have been incredible for the Ducks. But Oregon needs either lefty Staci Chambers (2.07 ERA last season, hasn’t pitched since Feb 8 due to injury) or freshman Rowan Thompson (0.1 innings pitched, three walks) to regain form before conference play.
What needs more time
Offensive woes against quality opponents
Drowned out by the Ducks’ marquee 1-0 win over then-No.5 University of Tennessee was that the Ducks had one hit against the Lady Vols. Time will tell if the cause for concern is legitimate — Oregon’s offense has been good against other quality competition. But, in the Ducks’ first test against the truly elite, they no doubt struggled.
Overall
Go on, do it. Feel good about these Ducks. With the Ducks meshing well in the early going, there’s real reason to be excited about Oregon softball this year. It might not always be perfect, and there will surely be some growing pains. But a third of the way through the season, there’s plenty of optimism — and for good reason.
