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Portland State University Athletics

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS
Anna Bertrand 2012
David Cleveland
Anna Bertrand struck out 14 and didn't allow a single run over 13.2 innings on Saturday.

Softball Ryan Borde

Vikings Split As Bertrand Continues To Shine In The Circle



PSU-Utah Box Score (HTML)  |  PSU-Texas Tech Box Score (HTML)

HENDERSON, Nev. – Portland State snapped a three-game losing streak behind a two-hit shutout by Anna Bertrand, defeating Utah on Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.

Bertrand pitched the Vikings' to a 2-0 victory over the Utes in the morning, then came on in the first inning in the afternoon against Texas Tech, but by then the damage was done as the Red Raiders scored five in the frame and held on for a 5-1 win.

For the day, Bertrand scattered five hits and struck out 14, while not allowing a single run over 13 2/3 innings. Utah and Texas Tech combined to hit just .111 against her.

The Vikings got all the runs they would need against Utah in the second inning after Brittany Hendrickson led off with her first collegiate home run, an opposite field shot to left, and Kayla Norrie doubled in Alexa Morales after Morales had singled with one out.

Bertrand took a no-hitter into the seventh before Whitney Holm broke it up with a one-out single. Utah managed to load the bases with two outs, the first real threat they posed all day, but Bertrand got Chalese Fankhauser to groundout to first base to end the game.

Utah didn't get a base runner on until the fifth inning when Hannah Clements reached with two outs on a PSU error. Bertrand (3-2) ended up facing just three over the minimum, striking out eight and walking one.

Generra Nielson (4-2) was almost as effective in the circle for Utah, fanning 13 PSU batters and giving up six hits in a complete-game effort.

Hendrickson and Carly McEachran each had two hits for the Vikings.

After a several hour break, the Vikings spotted Texas Tech five runs and never could muster a rally. Back-to-back home runs aided in the Red Raiders jumping to a 5-0 lead after just six batters.

Texas Tech's first six hitters of the contest reached base, with Sandy James delivering a three-run homer and Adriana Perez following with a solo blast. Two-straight walks, a fielders choice and a run-scoring double finally chased PSU pitcher Karmen Holladay from the game. Bertrand came on and immediately induced an inning-ending double play.

Portland State responded with its lone run in their half of the first. They loaded the bases after McEachran and Holladay walked, and Hendrickson singled with one out. Morales reached on a fielders choice with McEachran scoring on the play.

From there, it was mainly a pitchers duel. After the Red Raiders tallied four hits in the first inning, they had just three the rest of the way.

PSU finished with five hits, getting two more from Hendrickson. Holladay suffered the loss to fall to 0-2, while Bertrand walked one and struck out in 6 2/3 innings.

Cara Custer moved to 4-3 after going the distance for Texas Tech. She struck out seven and walked three.

The Vikings (3-6) close out their trip to Las Vegas by playing Long Beach State tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

NOTES: Technical difficulties ended the audio broadcast of both games early. Tomorrow's game will be on air for sure. Check GoViks.com for an updated audio link ... Hendrickson took over the team lead in batting average at .385. She is batting .545 (6-for-11) in Las Vegas ... Bertrand has thrown 26 2/3 of the Vikings' 27 innings so far over four games at the tournament ... PSU avenged a 3-1 loss to Utah from last week in Tempe.

SB team celebrating 2012

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