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CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Portland State softball team dropped its final game at the USF Under Armour Showcase by a score of 3-2 to Villanova Sunday morning in Clearwater, Fla. The Vikings led 2-0 before the Wildcats scored three runs over two innings to take the one-run game.
 
Senior IF Brittany Hendrickson went 3-for-3 and drove in both runs for the Vikings while Shae Nelson tallied two hits.
 
The Vikings got on board with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Nelson led off the inning with an infield single but was thrown out on a fielder's choice, which allowed Rayleen Pallan to reach base.
 
After Lexi Goranson walked to move Pallan into scoring position, Hendrickson drove in both runners with a double to center field to put the Vikings up 2-0.
 
Portland State starting pitcher Karyn Wright threw four shutout innings before giving up a leadoff solo home run in the top of the fifth. After giving up a single and a walk, she was lifted for Melissa Master who recorded three straight outs to get out of the jam.
 
Masters walked the first two batters in the top of the sixth inning.  After both runners moved into scoring position via stolen bases, the next batter hit a two-run single to center field to put the Wildcats up 3-2.
 
Portland State was unable to mount the comeback and fell by the one run margin.
 
Wright allowed one run on five hits over four innings in the no decision. Masters picked up the loss allowing two runs on just one hit over three innings. She walked two and struck out four.
 
Villanova improved to 6-9 with the win while Portland State fell to 5-10.
 
The Vikings will have one more tournament weekend before opening Big Sky Conference play against Southern Utah on March. 21. The Vikings will travel to Reno, Nev. where they will take on former Pacific Coast Softball Conference rival St. Mary's three times and Nevada twice.