Oregon Pitcher Hits Dirt in Mid-Air With Ball in Viral Women's CWS Video

There is always a chance of witnessing something that has never been seen before when watching a baseball or softball game, and that came to fruition Friday night during the 2025 Women's College World Series.

During the ninth inning of an elimination softball game between Oregon and Ole Miss, Oregon pitcher Lyndsey Grein threw a strike, but when catcher Emma Cox caught it, she indicated that something had gone into her eye.

Upon further inspection, a replay showed that a clump of dirt flew off Grein's cleat during the pitch, and the ball hit the clump of dirt on the way to the plate, causing the clump to burst into several smaller pieces:

Some of the dirt ended up in Cox's eye, but she recovered quickly and remained in the game.

The score was tied 5-5 at the time, and after Grein recorded the final out of the ninth, the game went to extra innings.

Cox started the bottom of the 10th with an infield single before being lifted for a pinch runner. That pinch runner then went on to score the game-winning run when Kedre Luschar worked a bases-loaded walk.

Grein was credited with the win after pitching 9.1 innings and throwing a remarkable 144 pitches. The victory helped her improve her record to 30-2 on the season.

Ole Miss is out of the Women's College World Series as a result of the loss, while Oregon moved on to play in another elimination game on Sunday.