GREELEY, Colo. - The Vikings had the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first but could not come up with one more hit, falling 9-7 to the Northern Colorado Bears Saturday afternoon in Greeley, Colo.
 
The Vikings tallied 15 hits in the game, second most of the season, but could not come up with one more clutch hit. The 15 hits in the game marked the third straight double-digit hit game for the Vikings, their longest streak of the season. The Vikings went 39-for-98 at the plate against the Bears for a .398 team batting average.
 
Seniors Candice Orozco and Brianna Celaya came through again for the Vikings at the plate, combining for five hits, two runs, and five RBIs. Celaya went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three of the Vikings' seven runs.
 
The Vikings' two-through-five hitters did the majority of the damage Saturday, going a combined 10-for-15 with seven runs scored and five RBIs.
 
The difference in the series was Portland State's pitching and defense. The Vikings' pitching staff combined for a 6.26 ERA over the three games while the defense committed six errors, resulting in six unearned runs.
 
Portland State started off the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. Orozco singled up the middle with two runners in scoring position to make it a 2-0 game.
 
Northern Colorado came back with seven unanswered runs, three in the bottom of the first and four in the bottom of the second, to take a 7-2 lead after two complete innings.
 
Portland State added a run in the top of the third and Northern Colorado scored one in the bottom of the fourth to make it an 8-3 game at the end of four.
 
The Vikings' bats came alive in the top of the fifth with four runs to make it a one-run ballgame at 8-7.
 
Three-straight singles by Shae Nelson, Ashley Smith, and Orozco loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the fifth. Celaya single down the right field line to bring in two runs. Kortney Craker reached on an error which brought in another run. Alex Flores brought in the fourth run of the inning with a groundout RBI to to make it a one run game.  
 
The Bears got a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it a 9-7 game.
 
Portland State loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh putting the go-ahead run on base. Unfortunately, the next batter grounded right back to the pitcher for the final out of the game.
 
Junior LHP Meagan Hendrix took the loss, falling to 3-9 on the season. She allowed six runs, two earned, on six hits over one inning pitched. She struck out one, had a wild pitch, and gave up three triples.
 
At the plate, Hendrix extended her hitting streak to seven games, matching the longest streak by a Viking this season. She has hit safely in each game she has had a plate appearance this season.
 
Northern Colorado improved to 8-31 overall and 3-12 in Big Sky Conference play with the win, while Portland State fell to 12-27 and 6-9.
 
Portland State returns home next weekend for their final Big Sky home games of the season. The Vikings host the Idaho State Bengals for a three-game set beginning Friday, April 29. Friday will be StrikeOut Cancer Day for the Vikings. Saturday's series finale will be Senior Day.
 
NOTES:
• Meagan Hendrix is now tied for the longest hitting streak by a Viking this season after hitting in her seventh straight game Saturday.
• Candice Orozco has reached base safely in each of the last 11 games, tied for the longest streak by a Viking this season.
• Brianna Celaya hit .600 (6-for-10) with three runs scored and a team-high seven RBIs during the series.