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PHOENIX - The Portland State softball team opened up its 2021 campaign going 1-1 at the Grand Canyon Purple Classic on Friday. The Vikings fell to 25^th ranked Iowa State to open the tournament before bouncing back with a 5-4 victory over Grand Canyon to close out the day.

"I'm proud of this team's competitive start," head coach Meadow McWhorter said. "We played with purpose in every aspect of the game. It's a good place to build from." 

After nearly a year-long hiatus from live competition, the Vikings offense was hot from the get go. Hoping to score first, PSU loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first to set up an RBI single from Rachel Menlove to deliver the first run of the season. Following Menlove's lead was Ariana Abalos and Olivia Dean who slammed back-to-back singles, adding to the Vikings 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
 
McWhorter proved her confidence in her talented group of freshmen as she tasked Bailey Rose with the start against the Cyclones in her collegiate debut. Rose gave up three runs in the first but was able to find her groove in the bottom of the second, leading to a three-up-three down inning for Portland State.

Rose was not alone as three other true freshman got the start alongside the freshman pitcher. McWhorter praised the groups' calm composure following the doubleheader saying, "as you can imagine, there were a lot of butterflies. A lot of first career at bats today, but you wouldn't know it."
 
The Vikings added to their lead in consecutive innings but it was a three-RBI homerun that shifted the momentum in favor of the Cyclones, leading to a 7-4 ISU lead. Iowa State used a three-run fifth inning to seal the deal as Portland State was unable to recover from the four-run deficit, falling 10-6.
 
Dean led the Vikings offensively, recording a team-high 2 RBI in addition to two hits. Menlove and freshman Shea Garcia also added two hits in the loss.
 
PSU played its second contest of the day against Grand Canyon. The Vikings offense came alive in the bottom of the second frame, slamming five base hits while taking advantage of four GCU errors to take a 5-0 lead.
 
Olivia Grey started in the circle for PSU. The redshirt freshman was stellar through five innings, shutting down the Lopes offense, striking out eight and allowing just one hit.
 
GCU was able to find a way to put pressure on Grey in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs off three hits to cut the Viking lead to three.
 
Unable to add any insurance, the Vikings entered the seventh with a three-run lead but GCU wasn't done yet. A pair of doubles got things going for the Lopes as they cut the lead to one with two outs. Grey finished what she started, ending the threat to clinch the 5-4 victory.
 
Tossing a complete game, Grey ended the day with 11 strikeouts. Backed by a solid defense, Portland State played errorless softball through two games.
 
Highlighting the offense in game two were a pair of freshmen. Logan Riggenbach and Alexa Cepeda led the team with two hits each.

The Vikings will return to action tomorrow in Tempe. They will begin the day in a rematch against Iowa State (10 A.M .PT) before taking on No. 13 Arizona State at 1 P.M.