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

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Becca Bliss led the Vikings going 3-for-6 with her first home run of the season but the Vikings dropped a pair of games on their first day of the Easton Desert Classic hosted by UNLV.

Portland State opened the day with a 5-4 loss to BYU after the Cougars came from behind with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the win. The Vikings then dropped their nightcap against Nevada 6-2.

Bliss drove in a pair of runs with a two-run home run against BYU to open the day. She then went 2-for-2 with a run scored and a sacrifice against Nevada.

The Vikings struggled in the circle on the day allowing 11 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings. They walked 10 while striking out only four as a staff.

Game 1 – Brigham Young (4-3) 5, Portland State (2-4) 4

BYU got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the first off PSU starting pitch Karyn Wright. The Cougars looked to add to their total in the bottom of the second after loading the bases with three straight base hits to lead off the inning. Wright picked up three straight outs with the bases loaded to escape the inning unscathed.

The Vikings got on the board in the top of the fifth plating a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Aubrey Nitschelm worked a bases loaded walk to drive in the Vikings' first run of the ballgame. Portland State then took the lead on a passed ball to take the lead. Unfortunately, the Vikings could not add to their lead with the bases loaded and two outs.

The lead did not last long as BYU plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead at 3-2. Meagan Hendrix came on in relief of Wright to start the fifth in the circle for the Vikings. After getting the first two outs in the inning, Hendrix walked a pair. Both would eventually come around to score on back-to-back BYU hits.

Portland State once again took the lead on a two-run home run off the bat of Becca Bliss. The home run was the first of the season for Bliss giving the Vikings a 4-3 lead going in to the bottom of the sixth.

The Vikings headed into the bottom of the seventh three outs away from the win. They could not hold on as the Cougars plated two more runs to win the game 5-4.

Wright picked up the loss falling to 0-3 on the season. She allowed two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings on nine hits.

Bliss finished the game going 1-for-4 with the two-run home run. Freshman Shae Nelson extended her hitting streak to five games. She has scored at least one run in five of the Vikings' six games this season.

Game 2 – Nevada 6, Portland State 2

The Wolfpack scored first with a two-run home run off Portland State starting pitcher Raya Johnson in the top of the second inning.

Bliss led off the bottom of the fourth for the Vikings. Two batters later, Bliss moved to second on a single by Brittany Hendrickson. Nitschelm loaded the bases with another single. Two batters later, Candice Orozco was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Melissa Master earned a pinch hit walk to drive in another run and tie the game at 2-2.

Nevada responded with a run in the top of the fifth to retake the lead at 3-2. The Wolfpack would add three more runs in the top of the sixth to go up by the final score of 6-2.

Portland State had only one base runner over the final three innings in the loss.

Johnson picked up the loss to tall to 0-1 on the season. She gave up three earned runs on four hits while walking five and striking out three over four innings.

The Vikings continue action Saturday at the Easton Desert Classic with games against Hawaii and Seattle University.