SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Vikings split a pair of games on their first day of action at the San Diego Classic I Friday in San Diego, Calif. Portland State lost a 1-0 game to Pittsburgh to start the day before defeating San Diego 3-1 in the nightcap.
 
Portland State got a pair of complete games from its starting pitcher. Freshman RHP Alyssa Burk threw her third-straight complete game against Pitt, allowing just one unearned run. Junior LHP Meagan Hendrix threw her third complete game of the season against San Diego, allowing just one earned run. The two combined for an 0.54 ERA on the day with opponents hitting just .222.  
 
"We had two well-pitched games and defense was steady all day as well," third-year Head Coach Barb Sherwood said following the final game of the day. "We played very well against the reigning ACC champs and to come back and win against a good San Diego team was huge."
 
Game 1 – Pittsburgh 1, Portland State 0
 
Portland State got another tremendous pitching performance out of Burk. She threw her third-straight complete game and surrendered just one unearned run in the loss.
 
She gave up just two hits over the first three innings of the game, while recording three strikeouts. Pitt led off the bottom of the fourth inning with an infield single to second base. The runner stole second before a strikeout and a fly out recorded the first two outs of the inning.
 
The next batter laid down a bunt single to the third baseman. On the play, the throw to first got away from the Vikings' second baseman covering first base on the play, which allowed the run to score to put the Panthers up 1-0. Burk surrendered just one base hit over the final two frames keeping it a one-run game.
 
Portland State did not reach base until Kortney Craker was hit by a pitch with two outs in the top of the fourth. She moved to second on a wild pitch and then to third on Melissa Masters' infield single. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they were unable to come up with the two-out hit and the game remained scoreless heading to the bottom of the inning.
 
After Pitt plated its unearned run in the bottom of the fourth, the Vikings had an opportunity to respond with a runner on second and one out in the top of the fifth. A pair of ground outs ended the scoring opportunity and the score remained 1-0.
 
Portland State recorded just one hit over the final two innings of the game to lose 1-0.
 
Burk allowed the one unearned run on five hits over six complete innings. She struck out four batters and did not allow a walk in the loss. She fell to 2-2 on the season with the loss. It was the first time this season that the Vikings did not allow a walk or a hit batter in a game.  
 
Game 2 – Portland State 3, San Diego 1
 
Lexi Goranson put the Vikings on the board with a run in the bottom of the second inning. She was hit by a pitch with two outs in the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. She then moved to third and scored on another wild pitch, putting the Vikings up 1-0.
 
Hendrix drove in her first career run in the bottom of the fourth to put the Vikings up 2-0. Ashley Smith singled to the shortstop to leadoff the inning. After the next two batters recorded outs, Candice Orozco was hit by a pitch, moving Smith to second. Hendrix then singled through the right side with her first hit of the season, bringing in Smith from second.
 
The Vikings had a great opportunity to add to their 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. After back-to-back singles by Shae Nelson and Craker, an infield fly followed by a pair of strike outs ended their scoring chances.
 
Hendrix allowed a run in the top of the sixth to make it a 2-1 game. After a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs, a wild pitch allowed a runner to score from third. Another pitch got away from the Vikings' catcher but Hendrix was able to cover the plate and tag out the runner trying to score for the third out of the inning.
 
The Vikings added an all-important insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on an Orozco solo home run to left field to go up 3-1.
 
Hendrix set down the Toreros in order in the top of the seventh to win 3-1. Hendrix allowed one earned run on five hits over seven complete innings. She walked two and struck out one in her third complete game of the season.
 
The Vikings are back back in action tomorrow at 2 p.m. PT against the Illinois-Chicago Flames. The game will be played at San Diego State Softball Stadium. UCI went 2-0 Friday with a pair of extra-inning wins over Utah Valley (9-8 in eight innings) and San Diego (5-2 in eight innings).