Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Game 1 Box Score - PDF | HTML
Game 2 Box Score - PDF | HTML

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Vikings dropped both ends of a day-night doubleheader to No. 3 Arizona State Saturday at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils defeated the Vikings 19-2 in game one and then 9-0 in game two. Arizona State improved to 15-0 with the two wins while Portland State fell to 4-10.

Game 1 – No. 3 Arizona State 19, Portland State 2

After a marathon 12-inning affair Friday night, Saturday's game started a bit differently. Arizona State got out to a big lead with a six-run first inning aided by Vikings' starting pitcher Raya Johnson's four walks to the first five batters she faced.

Johnson was relieved with one out in the first after walking in the first run of the game. Freshman Melissa Masters came out of the pen and gave up five more runs, three of which were credited to Johnson, before the inning was over, giving the Sun Devils an early 6-0 lead.

Portland State plated one run in the top of the second when Becca Bliss walked with the bases loaded scoring Crysta Conn who led off the inning with a single. Unfortunately the next batter grounded out ending the scoring opportunity.

Arizona State added four more runs in the bottom of the second off Masters to take a commanding 10-1 lead.

The Vikings cut the lead to 10-2 when freshman catcher Lauran Bliss drove in Alexa Morales from third base on an infield single. Morales reached on a double to right center.

ASU would add nine more runs over the next two innings to win the first game of the doubleheader 19-2. The 19 runs is the most given up by the Vikings since they lost to No. 1 UCLA by a score of 20-0 at the UNLV Softball Classic in 2001.

Johnson was credited with the loss and allowed 11 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings after she reentered the game in the third inning. She fell to 1-2 on the season.

Mackenzie Popescue picked up the win allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out four and walking two in three innings pitched.

Game 2 – No. 3 Arizona State 9, Portland State 0

Arizona State plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning of game two off Portland State starter Karyn Wright. The Sun Devils loaded the bases on Wright in the bottom of the first before she was lifted for Anna Bertrand. Wright was credited with the loss falling to 1-3 on the season.

Arizona State ended up adding six runs in the bottom of the second, three credited to Wright and three credited to Bertrand. After the second inning, Bertrand allowed just two base runners over the final two innings.

Offensively the Vikings struggled to get anything going in game two, recording only three hits over five innings. Popescue started game two for the Sun Devils and picked up her second win on the day allowing two hits over four innings. She moved to 6-0 on the season with the two wins Saturday.

Aubrey Nitschelm recorded two of the Vikings' hits in the game and was stranded on third base in the third inning.

The Vikings and Sun Devils are slated to play the four-game series finale Sunday starting at 11 a.m. PT.