GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Vikings drop the series against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks with a 2-0 loss in the rubber-match Saturday afternoon in Grand Forks, N.D.
 
Portland State (8-33 overall, 6-12 Big Sky Conference) got another stellar pitching performance from sophomore RHP Alyssa Burk. She threw her fifth complete game in as many appearances and held North Dakota (21-29, 7-10) to just two hits on the day.
 
Unfortunately for Burk and the Vikings, one of those hits was a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, which turned out to be the difference.
 
Portland State had its chances throughout the game. The Vikings stranded two runners in scoring position in the top of the first and one more in the fourth. In the top of the fifth, SheaLee Lindsey walked with two outs before stealing second. Shae Nelson singled up the middle but Lindsey was thrown out at the plate attempting to score for the final out of the inning.
 
It was a similar scenario in the top of the sixth. Celena Carrisosa worked a leadoff walk and then moved to third on a pair of groundouts. The next batter struck out swinging for the final out.
 
Portland State went quickly in the top of the seventh to fall to the Fighting Hawks 2-0 in the game and 2-1 in the series. The Vikings could not come up with the big hit when they needed it. They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 1-for-10 with runners on base.
 
Burk got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the second with a pop out to the shortstop to end the inning. After a perfect bottom of the third, she hit the leadoff batter in the fourth. Two batters later, a two-run home run gave UND the 2-0 lead. She allowed just one baserunner over the final two frames but would be tabbed with another tough loss.
 
Over the series against North Dakota, Burk went 1-2 with three complete games. She allowed eight runs, just three earned, over 22 innings for a 0.95 ERA. She allowed just 12 hits, walked nine and struck out 10. UND hit just .160 against Burk for the series.
 
Portland State returns home next week for its final four games of the regular season. The Vikings host the Oregon State Beavers for a single non-conference game on Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m. PT.
 
PSU will then host Sacramento State for its final Big Sky Conference series. The three-game set opens with a doubleheader on Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m. The series finale, which will be Senior Day for the Vikings, is slated for 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.