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Portland State University Athletics

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS
Bruno
Marissa Bruno and Darian Lindsey celebrate after Bruno scored on a wild pitch in the 11th inning.
2
Winner Portland State PSU 20-29
1
Sacramento State SAC 29-24
Winner
Portland State PSU
20-29
2
Final
1
Sacramento State SAC
29-24
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Portland State PSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 2
Sacramento State SAC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0

W: Schroeder, Katie (9-8) L: Corr, Savanna (19-13)

Game Recap: Softball | | Jackson Wagner

Schroeder, Bruno Lead Vikings to 11-Inning Tournament Win

Marissa Bruno ranged forward and to her left, catching the ball and stepping into her throw all in one fluid motion. She hit her mark perfectly, throwing a rope to the glove of catcher Rachel Menlove who turned just in time to tag out the Sacramento State runner attempting to score. The double play ended the sixth inning and earned Bruno a group hug from her ecstatic teammates. More importantly, it kept the Hornets off the board, setting the stage for the longest game in Big Sky Tournament history.

It wasn't until five innings later, when Bruno scored on a wild pitch in the top half of the 11th inning, that either team would hold the lead. Portland State made sure it would be the last. Katie Schroeder finished off an incredible 11-inning performance inside the circle to seal the 2-1 win and advance the Vikings to a meeting with Weber State later today.

"It was such a team win," head coach Meadow McWhorter said. "We are so proud because that is something we struggled with earlier in the season but we kept believing in each other and understanding the importance of making big defensive plays in big moments and they did that today in game one.

"It's really exciting to see them get excited about the little things. The big pitches, the big defensive plays. They were just getting excited about every little thing that we did and they were really dialed in. It was just a wonderful team win."

The win is the second tournament victory in as many years for Portland State, but it is the first time they have won their opening game of the tournament since 2013. The Vikings are now 5-3 all-time in Big Sky Tournament games. This was also the longest game the Vikings have been a part of since a 12-inning loss to #3 Arizona State on Feb. 22, 2013.

Before the tournament, McWhorter said that Schroeder would likely get the nod in game one because of her control and poise inside the circle. She repaid her coach in full for the decision, going all 11 innings in the longest outing in Portland State postseason history. She allowed just six hits and one run, which was unearned.

"Sacramento State, the meat of their lineup is some of the most feared hitters in our conference but Katie was just fearless inside the circle," McWhorter said. "She did such a great job of trusting her defense, but more importantly trusting her abilities in the circle. She did a phenomenal job of going right at hitters and keeping them off-balanced."

Schroeder isn't a pitcher that relies on strikeouts. Instead, she limits the amount of well-hit balls and has faith that her defense will be behind her to make plays. They did just that on Wednesday. While an error helped the Hornets score their only run, there were countless times that the defense pulled through and made big plays.

They got out of the sixth and eighth innings on double plays, but there was no bigger play than the 9-2 double play to cut down the go-ahead run in the sixth by Bruno.

"Marissa has the most accurate arm," McWhorter said of the play. "For that big play to happen, the importance of the throw - because obstruction has become such a big thing in our game - the throw was just spot on. It led Rachel into the tag so she could make a clean tag. It was huge. It was a momentum changer and a game changer. We couldn't ask for anything more out of Marissa, she had one heck of a game."

Portland State stranded 14 runners on base - twice as many as Sacramento State - but got the big run when they needed it. Bruno went 2-for-4 at the plate with the important run scored. Gunesch also had two hits on the day, driving in the Vikings' first run.

Lindsey also got on base three times, twice by walk, while Sala Pedebone and Alexis Morrison drew two walks each.

The Vikings got on the board in the first inning after Darian Lindsey drew a leadoff walk and stole second base.  A passed ball moved her to third base, where she would score on an RBI single from Tayler Gunesch. The run was unearned, but it gave Portland State the early lead regardless.

Sacramento State got an unearned run of their own to tie the game up again in the bottom half of the first. Nene Alas led off with a single for the Hornets, stole second and then scored on a fielding error by the Vikings.

The 1-1 score would last for 10 more innings, as both pitchers found a groove. The Vikings weren't without their chances, however. In the second inning, PSU had a couple of two-out hits to start a rally, but they couldn't finish it. They then loaded the bases in the third inning, but again couldn't push a runner home.

Schroeder, meanwhile, dominated inside the circle. She didn't allow a hit in the third, fourth or fifth innings. In fact, the triple that set up Bruno's heroic play in right field was the first hit since a two-out single in the second for the Hornets. It was also the only extra base hit by Sacramento State all day.

Portland State had another stellar defensive play a couple frames later, ending the eighth inning with a double play. Lindsey ranged well to her left, scooping up what appeared to be a single up the middle and touching second before tossing to first to end the inning.

Bruno's leadoff double in the 11th then put the game-winning run in scoring position. Lindsey advanced her to third on a groundout. After a strikeout, the patience of Gunesch helped incite the wild pitch, which Bruno didn't hesitate on.

"When you are at third you are thinking passed ball at all times so when you have that opportunity you don't hesitate," McWhorter said. "Especially for someone with the speed of Marissa, she is looking at every opportunity to take advantage of a moment like that and she did."

Portland State will have a quick turnaround, facing off against top-ranked Weber State in an undefeated semifinal later today. The game will begin at the conclusion of the Montana-Northern Colorado game. Despite playing nearly two games worth of innings already today, Portland State will be ready to go.

"It's not even being tired, it's just a mentality that you have to turn on," McWhorter said. "We control our attitude and our effort, and these girls are in control and on fire for this next game so we're looking forward to the opportunity to play again on day one."

 
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