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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A five-run bottom of the first for the No. 8 Golden Bears did in the Vikings who fell 9-2 in their final game of the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.

Senior second baseman Carly McEachran led off the game for the Vikings with a double to left center. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, freshman Lauran Bliss hit a single down the left field line. McEachran tried to score on the play but was gunned down at the plate. Bliss moved to second on the throw.

Sophomore Alicia Fine then doubled in Bliss from second giving the Vikings an early 1-0 lead over the Bears. Fine really came on strong at the Desert Classic hitting .417 (5-for-12) on the weekend. She hit a pair of doubles, hit her first home run of the season, and drove in a trio of runs. She entered the weekend hitting .188 and improved her average nearly 100 points and is now hitting .286 on the season.

California took the lead in the bottom half of the first with a five-run inning, capped by a one-out grand slam by catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt. California added another run in the bottom of the second to take a 6-1 lead.

McEachran led off the top of the third for the Vikings with the team's first triple of the season. She was driven in two batters later by a single to right field by Bliss cutting the lead to 6-2. The Vikings grounded into a double play with two runners on ending any threat of a big inning in the third.

The Bears added two more runs in the bottom of the third on Ziegenhirt's second home run of the day. They then added another run in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead.

The Vikings had runners on the corners in the top of the sixth with one out but a pair of infield pop outs ended the inning and the Vikings would fall 9-2.

PSU starting pitcher Raya Johnson threw two-plus innings allowing eight runs, six earned, on just four hits. She walked four, recorded one strike out, and gave up two home runs in the losing effort. She is now 1-1 on the season.

Jolene Henderson threw five innings in relief for the Bears allowing just on hit while walking one and striking out two. She was credited with the win improving to 6-2 on the season.

The Vikings return to the Valley of the Sun next weekend when they take on No. 3 Arizona State in a four-game set in Tempe, Ariz.

NOTES: The Vikings 1 through 4 hitters went a combined 6-for-12 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and a walk … They also combined for three doubles and a triple … Portland States team ERA is now 5.20 on the season … Carly McEachran recorded the Vikings' first triple of the year … McEachran is slugging .750 on the season, which leads the team … Alicia Fine hit .417 at the Easton Desert Classic.