EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon softball head coach Melyssa Lombardi is a big believer in the power of starting strong. For her No.
18 Ducks, it's a strategy that applies to both individual games and the season as a whole. The idea is simple: get ahead early, and the benefits will follow.
The Ducks (18-7) recently faced a setback, losing to Nevada (16-9) after the Wolf Pack jumped on them right from the start. But Lombardi praises her team's adaptability, and they showed it by bouncing back in their next matchup against Nevada at the Jane Sanders Classic.
Senior utility player Amari Harper captured the team's mindset perfectly: "We know our strengths and weaknesses, and we can adjust to any situation. Whether it's bunting, slapping, or hitting line drives, we're capable of it all."
With Nevada's defense respecting Oregon's power by playing deep, the Ducks focused on hitting grounders and line drives. This approach paid off as they sent 11 players to the plate in the first inning, scoring five runs. Senior pitcher Lyndsey Grein then took over, delivering a stellar performance to secure a 7-3 victory.
"Having teammates who have your back makes pitching so much more relaxing," Grein shared.
This win was a perfect way to wrap up Oregon's non-conference schedule, which saw them competing in five tournaments over the past five weeks. Now, the focus shifts to Big Ten play, where the Ducks will aim to defend their regular-season title from last year.
The Ducks are gearing up for their first Big Ten series of the year against the Penn State Nittany Lions (18-6) at Jane Sanders Stadium. The two teams haven't faced each other since Oregon joined the Big Ten, and the Ducks have won all six previous encounters.
Penn State, coming off a strong start and challenging No. 1 Tennessee, will provide a solid test.
The NCAA's first RPI rankings of the year have Oregon at No. 15 and Penn State just behind Nevada at No. 43.
Reflecting on last season, the Ducks know the importance of a strong start. After a stumble against Washington, they went on a 12-game conference winning streak, setting the stage for a successful season.
The lesson? It's all about how you respond to setbacks.
Lombardi emphasized, "We're going to win a lot, but there will be tough games. It's about making adjustments and responding quickly, which this team has done well."
In 2025, Oregon's fast start led them to the Women's College World Series under Lombardi's leadership. Despite a rocky opening to 2026, they've found their rhythm again. A return home helped them reset, and now they're ready to tackle Big Ten play.
With a three-game series against Penn State, the Ducks have a chance to set the tone for the conference season. A strong showing could pave the way for another championship run.
"We've been focused on defending our title since training camp," Lombardi said. "This group is hungry and ready to start conference play strong."