SEATTLE, Wash. – The Vikings split a pair of games on their first day at the Seattle U Invitational in Seattle, Wash. Portland State took advantage of several North Dakota miscues and grounded the Fighting Hawks 6-3 before falling to host Seattle, 3-0. 
 
Portland State (9-13 overall) struggled at the plate over the two games, hitting under.200 on the day. Only two players recorded multiple hits over the two games, Jessica Flanagan and Alexxis Ponce each went 2-for-7 on the day with an RBI. 
 
Portland State and North Dakota were scoreless in the first game heading to the bottom of the third. After two quick outs, Sala Pedebone reached on an error by the UND third baseman. It turned out to be a very costly mistake as the Vikings went on to score six unearned runs in the inning. 
 
After Pedebone reached, she moved to third on a single by Kaela Morrow. Morrow was able to move to second on the play. Rachel Menlove then drove in both runners for the games first runs on a single to right field. Ashley Doyle then reached on another error by UND, which moved Menlove to second. 
 
Marissa Bruno loaded the bases with a single to center. Riley Casper made it a 3-0 game with a base loaded walk. A wild pitch brought in another run before Darian Lindsey once again loaded the bases with a walk. 
 
Flanagan and Ponce each singled in a run to put the Vikings up 6-0 at the end of three innings. The Vikings scored six runs on five hits, all with two outs after a pair of errors extended the inning. 
 
After having a tough outing her last time out against Ohio State, Katie Schroeder returned to form in the circle for the Vikings. She threw five scoreless innings before the Fighting Hawks were able to crack the scoreboard with three unearned runs to cut the lead in half at 6-3. It could have been worse for the Vikings but they were able to get out of the inning after Bruno gunned out a runner at third for the final out of the inning. 
 
Schroeder, who has been very strong in the seventh innings of games, threw just eight pitches to close out the three-run victory for the Vikings. She moved to 5-5 on the season with the win. She allowed three runs, none earned, on six hits. She struck out four and did not allow a walk. 
 
After tallying seven hits in the first game, the Vikings only scratched out three in game two against Seattle. Flanagan singled with one out in the first but she would be the last base runner until Menlove walked with one out in the fifth. 
 
Seattle manufactured a run in the bottom of the first off Serafine Parrish. After allowing a run in the first, Parrish threw three scoreless innings before the Redhawks tacked on two in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. She got out of a jam in the sixth but picked up the loss, falling to 1-1 on the year. She allowed three earned on nine hits, walked one, and stuck out one. It was her first complete game of the year. 
 
The Vikings only true scoring opportunity came in the top of the seventh when they had two runners on with nobody out. Unfortunately, a fielder's choice, strikeout, and a groundout ended the game. 

Portland State will have another crack at both teams Sunday. The Vikings and Fighting Hawks play at 10 a.m. PT before the Vikings face the Redhawks again at 3 p.m.