PORTLAND ? Portland State split a Pacific Coast Softball Conference doubleheader with Loyola Marymount Sunday afternoon at Erv Lind Stadium, as the two teams split the weekend four-game series. The Vikings (26-26, 9-7 PCSC) won game one 2-0, while the Lions (35-17, 10-6 PCSC) took game two 1-0.

Portland State dropped a game in the conference standings and now trail first-place Saint Mary's by two games with four game remaining. The Gaels swept San Diego in Moraga, Calif., Sunday, winning 8-5 and 2-1. Loyola Marymount, who entered the day tied for first with Saint Mary's, is now in a second-place tie with Sacramento State, one-game behind the Gaels.

The Vikings will conclude their PCSC schedule next weekend with a four-game series at Santa Clara. Loyola Marymount will travel to Saint Mary's, while Sacramento State is at San Diego.

Senior right-hander Mandy Hill (15-15) tossed her second shutout of the weekend to earn the win in game one, and junior first baseman Jana Rae Slayton drove in the game's only runs with a two-out, two-RBI in the third inning.

In the nightcap, sophomore Melissa Dykema (14-7) also tossed her second shutout of the series, firing a two-hitter in the 1-0 win. The Lions manufactured the game's lone run in the fifth inning, with junior designated player Chelsie Tysdal scoring freshman second baseman Amy Charpentier on a one-out single.

Senior right-hander Tiffany Pagano (21-10) was charged with two unearned runs in suffering the loss for the Lions in game one.

Freshman right-hander Nichole Latham (9-10) suffered the loss for the Vikings in the nightcap, allowing one run on six hits and one walk in five innings.

Portland State will return to action Wednesday afternoon at Oregon to complete the season's four-game series. First-pitch is set for 4:00 p.m., at Howe Field.

GAME 1: PORTLAND STATE 2, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 0

Senior left fielder Shannon Stacy opened the third inning with a single, and advanced to second on a throwing error by Pagano on junior third baseman Jamee Rauch's bunt attempt. After Pagano struck out the next two batters, Hill walked to load the bases. Slayton hit a 1-1 pitch back up the middle to score Stacy and Rauch.

Hill scattered eight hits and walked none, while striking out five, in going the distance.

Pagano limited the Vikings to four hits in suffering the loss. She also struck out eight and walked three.

The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on back-to-back two-out singles by Tysdal and junior shortstop Megan Ackerman. However, Hill coaxed senior designated player Tracy Cook to fly out to center to end the inning and preserve the 2-0 lead.

Portland State 002 000 0 - 2 4 0
Loyola Marymount 000 000 0 - 0 8 2
PSU: Hill and K. Wilson. LMU: Pagano and Tysdal.
W- Hill (15-15) L- Pagano (21-10) S- None
HR: None
T- 1:54 A- 272

GAME 2: LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 1, PORTLAND STATE 0
Dykema once again limited the Vikings to two hits in going the distance to out-duel the Vikings' pitching. She also allowed two walks and struck out one.

Charpentier doubled to start the fifth inning, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore catcher Darcy Pagnini. Tysdal then singled to right center to score Charpentier.

The Lions committed two errors in the sixth inning as the Vikings put runners on the corners with two outs. However, Dykema worked her way out of the jam and struck out sophomore right fielder Sammy Taylor to end the threat. Dykema then retired Portland State in order in the seventh to close out the game.

Charpentier and freshman right fielder Jennifer Nayudu both went 2-for-3 to lead Loyola Marymount at the plate.

Junior center fielder Jackie Heide and Hill recorded the Vikings' two hits.

Portland State 000 000 0 - 0 2 1
Loyola Marymount 000 010 x - 1 7 3
PSU: Hill and K. Wilson. LMU: Pagano and Tysdal.
W- Dykema (14-7) L- Latham (9-10) S- None
HR: None
T- 1:31 A- 272