LAS VEGAS, Nev.  – The Vikings could not overcome a six-run first inning, falling 7-5 to the UNLV Rebels Saturday afternoon on the second day of the 2017 Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.
 
UNLV tallied six of its seven hits on the day in the first inning as the Rebels plated six runs off Portland State pitchers. The Vikings' staff settled down and allowed just one hit and one unearned run over the final six innings.
 
Down early, Portland State started to chip away at the UNLV lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Kortney Craker doubled to lead off the bottom of the second inning and eventually came around to score to make it 6-1 at the end of two.
 
After the Rebels tacked on a run in the top of the third, the Vikings plated three runs to make it a 7-4 game. Korina Krueg reached on an error to lead off the inning. Marissa Bruno moved Krueg to second with a sacrifice bunt. Craker walked before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position.
 
Alexis Morrison doubled to left field to plate both runners. She moved to third on another wild pitch before coming into score when Kaela Morrow singled to center field to pull the Vikings' within three.
 
The fourth and fifth innings went by with the score remaining the same. SheaLee Lindsey reached on a fielder's choice with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. She stole second and then came in to score when Shae Nelson singled to right to make it a 7-5 game.
 
The Vikings' comeback fell short as they went in order in the bottom of the seventh, falling 7-5.
 
Morrison posted her second multi-hit and multi-RBI game of the season, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two driven in. Craker doubled and walked and scored two of the Viking's five runs. Since coming back from injury, Craker is 3-for-9 with four runs scored, two doubles, two walks, and four driven in.
 
The Vikings will be back on the diamond Sunday for their final two games of the Rebel Classic. They will take on Southern Illinois at 9 a.m. PT before taking on UNLV again at 11:15 a.m.