HILLSBORO, Ore. – Portland State dropped its rubber-match with Weber State, 10-2, Saturday afternoon at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex in Hillsboro, Ore.
 
After splitting the first two games in the series Friday, the Vikings hoped to pick up their first conference series win of the season Saturday.
 
Weber State, wanting its first series win of the year, came out swinging and plated four runs in the top of the first inning off Portland State starting pitcher Kristen Crawford. The first four Wildcats each recorded a hit and scored a run to put them up 4-0 heading to the bottom of the first.
 
The Wildcats plated another run in the top of the second off Karyn Wright, who came on in relief to start the second. WSU added two unearned runs in the top of the third to take a commanding 7-0 lead.
 
Portland State struggled offensively, recording just three hits over the first five innings.
 
After the Wildcats plated their eighth run of the game in the top of the sixth off Crawford who reentered the game, the Vikings got on the board in the bottom of the frame.
 
Shae Nelson and Kortney Craker led of the sixth for the Vikings with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Candice Orozco drove in PSU's first run with a sacrifice fly to left field. Melissa Masters drove in a second run with a single up the middle to make the score 8-2 heading to the seventh inning.
 
Weber State added two more runs in the top of the seventh to increase its lead to 10-2. Portland State loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with one out looking to cut into the lead. Back-to-back fly outs to left field ended the Vikings comeback chances.
 
Crawford allowed seven earned runs on eight hits over five complete innings. She walked three and struck out six in the losing effort.
 
Weber State improved to 18-12 overall and 2-1 in Big Sky play, while Portland State fell to 7-17 and 1-2.
 
The Vikings hit the road next week for a three-game series with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in Cedar City, Utah. The series begins with a pair of games on Friday, April 1.