Ayanna Shaw's Grand Slam Lifts Oregon In NCAA Tournament Win Over Idaho State

The Oregon Ducks defeated Idaho State 5-1 in their NCAA Tournament opener at the Eugene Regional.

Oregon outfielder Ayanna Shaw rounds the bases on a grand slam as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho State Bengals in an NCAA regional on May 15, 2026, at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks softball team opened up the Eugene Regional at Jane Sanders Stadium against the Idaho State Bengals on Friday night. This is Oregon’s second consecutive season hosting an NCAA Tournament Regional in Eugene as they look to reach the Women’s College World Series for the second consecutive season. 

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Oregon redshirt sophomore outfielder Ayanna Shaw delivered the second grand slam of her career, lifting the Ducks to a 5-1 win over Idaho State in the Eugene Regional opener.

May 29, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Melyssa Lombardi comes out to talk to the umpire in the third inning against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Softball Women's College World Series at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images | Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

In addition to Shaw's grand slam in the bottom of the fourth, the Ducks also received dominant pitching performances from redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Elise Sokolsky and junior right-handed pitcher Taylour Spencer, who combined for nine strikeouts in the win over Idaho State.

With the win, the Ducks advance in the winner's bracket and will take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Below is a rundown of the game. The latest updates are at the top.

LIVE SCORE UPDATES

FINAL: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

Top of Seventh: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

-Sokolsky seals Oregon's tournament opener win over Idaho State with a strikeout to end the game.

Bottom of Sixth: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

-Idaho State down to their final three outs as they allow no Oregon hits in the bottom of the sixth.

Top of Sixth: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

Oregon’s Elise Sokolsky pitches against Stanford during the first inning of the Eugene NCAA Softball Regional May 17, 2025. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

-Elise Sokolsky reached four strikeouts in the top of the sixth inning for Oregon.

Bottom of Fifth: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

-Oregon strands one runner in the bottom of the fifth, still leads 5-1.

Top of Fifth: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

-Elise Sokolsky and Oregon shut down Idaho State in the top of the fifth inning, allowing no hits.

Bottom of Fourth: Ducks 5, Bengals 1

Oregon’s Ayanna Shaw celebrates after scoring as the Oregon Ducks host the Stetson Hatters on Feb. 27, 2026, as part of the Oregon Classic at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

-Emma Cox's sacrifice fly drives in Katie Flannery to make it 5-1 Oregon.

-Kasey Aguinaga takes over on the mound for Idaho State.

-Ayanna Shaw hits a grand slam to give the Ducks their first lead of the night. Oregon leads 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth. 2nd career grand slam for Shaw.

Top of Fourth: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-Elise Sokolsky takes over on the mound following a strong 3.1 innings pitched by Taylour Spencer.

Bottom of Third: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-Oregon strands three runners as Idaho State gets out of a bases-loaded jam to end the bottom of the third inning.

Top of Third: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-Taylour Spencer records three strikeouts in the top of the third inning, reaching five on the night.

Bottom of Second: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-Ducks strand one runner in the bottom of the second inning. Oregon only has one hit through two innings.

Top of Second: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-Oregon shuts down Idaho State in top of the second inning, allowing no hits.

Bottom of First: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

Oregon pitcher Taylour Spencer throws a pitch as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho State Bengals in an NCAA regional on May 15, 2026, at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

-Bengals allow no hits in the first inning.

-Marley Goluskin, the Big Sky pitcher of the year on the mound for Idaho State.

Top of First: Bengals 1, Ducks 0

-RBI single for Ava Brown give Idaho State a 1-0 lead.

-Alyssa Yee leads off with a double for the Bengals.

-Taylour Spencer starts on the mound for the Ducks, as Lyndsey Grien is unavailable with an eye infection.

PREVIEW

Oregon infielder Taryn Ho celebrates a strikeout as the Oregon Ducks host the Ohio State Buckeyes on April 24, 2026, at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Following their 11-9 upset loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, the Ducks enter the Eugene Regional with a 40-12 overall record and finished 20-4 in the Big Ten during the regular season.

The Ducks had the second-best record in conference play behind the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are also hosting a regional in Lincoln after winning both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.

Idaho State enters the tournament with a 37-18 overall record and earned its spot in the Eugene Regional following a 16-8 win over Sacramento State to win the Big Sky Tournament championship. 

While the Ducks are the favorites on Friday night over the Bengals, several Idaho State players could challenge an Oregon team looking to return to its defensive dominance following its loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. 

Oregon’s Elon Butler celebrates scoring the winning run against Penn State in the seventh inning at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene March 15, 2026. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notable players to watch for Idaho State include senior infielder Sydney Groves and senior outfielder Ava Brown, who led the Bengals in home runs during the regular season. Groves is the Bengals' home run leader with 19 on the season, along with recording 55 hits and 42 runs in 158 at-bats. Groves also leads the team in RBI’s with 61 on the season.

Brown has 15 on the season for the Bengals, along with recording 55 hits and 52 runs. Senior outfielder Alyssa Yee is another player to watch for the Bengals as she leads Idaho State with 65 hits on 173 at-bats this season. Idaho State will look to these three players to upset the Ducks to open the tournament.   

As the Ducks have done all season, Oregon looks to rely on its top offensive leaders, including senior utility players Elon Butler and Amari Harper. Along with being Oregon's top home run leaders during the regular season, Butler and Harper also had an impact in the Ducks' Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal loss to the Badgers. 

Butler recorded a home run, three runs, and an RBI, and one hit, while Harper had two RBI’s, two hits, and one run. 

Oregon utility player Amari Harper makes a catch for an out as the Oregon Ducks host the Stetson Hatters on Feb. 27, 2026, as part of the Oregon Classic at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last season in the Eugene Regional, Oregon opened with a dominating 8-0 win in five innings against Weber State, also from the Big Sky, and looks to have the same success against the Wildcats' conference rival, Idaho State, on Friday night.

Oregon enters the NCAA Tournament with +6500 odds to win its first national championship in program history, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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