Grein Strikes Out 14 to No-Hit Missouri

Friday, February 6

Clearwater, FL

10:00 AM

University of Oregon

1-0

Missouri

0-2

Oregon

Missouri

02/06/26 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 #5 Oregon 3, Missouri 0 #13 Clemson 6, #5 Oregon5

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Senior All-American Lyndsey Grein became the first Duck to throw a no-hitter in a season opener in program history as she led No. 5 Oregon to a 3-0 victory over Missouri Friday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

"It was just so much fun to be out there with my teammates," said Grein. "Coach did an awesome job calling, (catcher) Emma (Cox) made me look really pretty behind the plate and my defense definitely had my back so definitely a good team win."

Grein struck out a career-high 14 batters and walked only two, both on full counts. She is the 19^th player in program history to toss a no-hitter.

"It's really hard to do," said coach Melyssa Lombardi. "I just loved our defensive support that they gave her. She was enjoying herself, having a good time and really commanding the ball."

Later Friday, Oregon (1-1) committed two costly fielding errors in the sixth inning against No. 13 Clemson and dropped a 6-5 heartbreaker.

"Loved how we came out and fought today," said Lombardi. "Loved their energy.

"I think the second game was tough," said Lombardi. "We were just a little bit up and down and there were a couple of plays that made the difference."

How It Happened – Game One: Grein set the tone early by striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning. She then struck out two batters in second and third innings.

A quick 1-2-3 inning in the fourth made it 12 in a row retired by the senior from Mokena, Ill.

After striking out the first two batters in the bottom of the fifth, Emma Jackson walked on a 3-2 pitch to give the Tigers (0-1) their first base runner of the game. Grein then fanned Abby Hay to end the inning with her 10^th strikeout of the afternoon.

"In all honesty, I was just kind of hanging out, having fun with my friends," said Grein. "If I'm being honest. A win's a win and I'm just excited for the next one."

Oregon broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Ayanna Shaw led off with a triple and later scored on a Katie Flannery sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

Missouri's closest chance for a hit happened in the bottom of the sixth inning. Grein struck out two batters – her 11^th and 12^th of the game – before walking Addy Waits. Stefania Abruscato then hit a soft line drive right at Katie Flannery at third base to end the inning.

Oregon scored two insurance runs in the seventh. Singles by Cox, Addison Amaral and Kaylynn Jones loaded the bases, but Elyse Kresho lined into a tough-luck double play at third.

No. matter. Ayanna Shaw came through with a clutch two-out double that scored both runners for a 3-0 lead.

Standing three outs from history, Grein took no chances. She got Sydney Forrester on a swinging third strike. Maddison Uptegrove hit a routine grounder to Flannery. Grein then froze Abby Carr on a called strike three for the third out and the celebration was on.

"I just loved her command," said Lombardi. "She did a good job of getting ahead. Really understood where she wanted to put the ball. I love how she changed speeds and used a drop ball as well."

How It Happened – Game Two: Clemson (2-0) came away with the win in a back-and-forth game between two top 15 teams.

The first three Oregon batters in the top of the first walked and the Ducks scored twice without the benefit of a hit. Elon Butler scored on a throwing error before Amari Harper's sacrifice fly plated Rylee McCoy for a 2-0 lead.

Clemson responded with a three-run home run in the bottom of the second that gave the Tigers a 3-2 advantage.

Harper then tied the game with her first home run as a Duck in the top of the third.

Oregon moved back ahead in the top of the fourth. Shaw singled and Stefini Ma'ake walked. Shaw then scored on a throwing error to give the Ducks a 4-3 lead.

An out later, Flannery scored on an Elon Butler sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.

The game stayed that way into the bottom of the sixth. Mac Pavese hit a one-out homer off Taylor Spencer, who had been brilliant in relief of starter Elise Sokolsky to that point. Grein relieved got the second out on a grounder to third.

But the Ducks then dropped two fly balls – either of which would have been the third out – and that allowed Clemson to score twice and escape with a win.

"I think we're good. We're going to learn from this loss," said Harper. "I think we need to stay focused because we kind of let some things slip through the cracks, but I think we'll be ready to bounce back tomorrow."

Spencer struck out four in just two innings of relief.

Notable: Grein's no-hitter was the first for a Duck since Stevie Hansen held Utah Valley hitless in a six-inning run-rule win … It was the first seven-inning no-hitter for Oregon since Makenna Kliethermes went the distance against LMU in 2021 … Grein's 14 strikeouts were the most by a Duck since Kliethermes struck out 15 in the 2022 season opener against Ole Miss … Sokolsky notched her 400^th career strikeout against Clemson … Shaw was 4-for-7 on opening day, including her second career triple, with two RBI … Jones had three hits on Friday, while Cox had two … All three transfers – Amaral, Butler and Harper – all had a hit on Friday.

Quotable:
Coach Melyssa Lombardi
"We're going to have adverse moments throughout the year. We have to understand how to handle those adverse moments and be able to flip the switch. Let it go and get the job done and find a way to win. So we'll learn from it. We'll grow from it. It will make us better, but I just hate that that one slipped away."

Pitcher Lyndsey Grein, giving her catcher Emma Cox much of the credit for Friday's no-hitter
"Emma makes me look really pretty. That's all Emma. She makes me look really good. Just helps me out and allows me to perform at my best ability. She does a great job behind the plate."

Up Next: Oregon continues play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic with two games on Saturday. The Ducks will face No. 21 Liberty in a rematch of the 2025 NCAA Eugene Regional at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. Then Oregon and No. 4 Tennessee square off in the feature game of the tournament at 4 p.m. Pacific in a game that will be shown on a delayed basis on MLB Network. The Ducks defeated the Lady Vols, 1-0, in eight innings at the 2025 Mary Nutter Classic.