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

STANFORD, Calif. – The Portland State softball team dropped its first two games at the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic Friday in Stanford, Calif. The Vikings dropped their opening game, 4-3, in eight innings to BYU before falling to No. 22 Stanford, 10-0.

Brianna Celaya and Aubrey Nitschelm each had two hits and a run batted in for the Vikings as eight players recorded a hit on the day.

Game 1 – Brigham Young University 4, Portland State 3

Portland State struck first with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Shae Nelson led off the inning with a double for the Vikings' second hit of the game. Two batters later, Aubrey Nitschelm singled to left to drive in Nelson and put the Vikings up 1-0.

The lead did not last long as BYU plated two runs in the bottom half of the inning on three doubles off Portland State starting pitcher Karyn Wright to put the Cougars up 2-1.

The Vikings had a great scoring opportunity in the top of the seventh when they had runners on second and third with one out but they could not push one across and the score remained a 2-1 BYU lead.

Becca Bliss doubled to right center to lead off the top of the seventh. Kayla Norrie moved Bliss to third with a sacrifice bunt but reached base when the fielder tried unsuccessfully to get Bliss at third. Norrie was lifted for pinch runner Celena "Nugget" Carrisosa who promptly moved into scoring position by stealing second. 

Brianna Celaya came up next and drove in Bliss from third on an RBI ground out to shortstop for the first out. Mackenzie Bourbanis singled to center driving in Carrisosa to retake the lead for the Vikings at 3-2 headed to the bottom of the seventh.

The Vikings were once again three outs away from a win but could not capitalize on the opportunity as the Cougars tied the game with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 3-3 and push the game into extra innings.

After the Vikings went in order in the top of the eighth, BYU plated another run on a sacrifice fly to right field with a runner on third to take the game, 4-3.

Wright pitched well throughout the game allowing just three earned runs over a career-high 7 2/3 innings. She allowed 10 hits and gave up just one walk, an intentional walk in the bottom of the seventh. She worked efficiently, throwing just 80 pitches over her innings and inducing 17 fly ball outs to just five ground outs. She fell to 1-5 on the season with the loss.

BYU's Almond picked up the win throwing the final 2 2/3 innings. She moved to 1-2 on the season.

Game 2 - No. 22 Stanford 10, Portland State 0 (5 Innings)

No. 22 Stanford jumped on Portland State for six runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Cardinal scored five runs, three earned, off PSU starting pitcher Raya Johnson. Johnson recorded one out in the inning while walking three.

Portland State had an opportunity to get on the board with two runners in scoring position. The Vikings were unable to push a run across as the next batter grounded out. That would be the best chance to score that the Vikings would get.

Stanford added three more runs in the bottom of the third and one more in the fourth to take a 10-0 lead. Portland State mustered three hits in the game. Johnson fell to 0-2 on the season with the loss. 

Portland State will return to action Saturday morning at the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic. They will once again take on No. 17 Stanford before taking on UC Davis in the nightcap.