OGDEN, Utah -  The Portland State softball team clinched a spot in the Big Sky Championship game on Saturday following a thrilling 6-5 nine-inning victory over two-seed Southern Utah on Friday.

The Vikings improved to 14-24 overall and 3-0 in the tournament. This marks the second time in program history that the Vikings have advanced to a Big Sky Championship game, the last time being in 2013 when they took the title.

Olivia Grey got her third-straight start in the circle for Portland State following a stellar opening day at the tournament.

After a scoreless first three innings, the Thunderbirds broke through with a solo home run in the top of the fourth. The Vikings wasted little time answering the Thunderbirds as they loaded the bases to start the fourth inning. Olivia Dean got the job done as she brought two across for a 2-1 Viking lead.

SUU did what few teams have been able to do against Grey in recent games, putting up two runs against the redshirt freshman in the top of the fifth en route to a 4-2 advantage.

Rachel Menlove shifted momentum back to the Vikings when she cracked a solo home run to cut the Thunderbird lead to one in the bottom half of the sixth.

It was a pair of true freshmen in the bottom of the seventh inning who came through when it mattered most. Maddie Thompson kept the Vikings alive with a two-out single bringing Paetynn Lopez to the plate. Lopez who has proven to thrive under pressure was no different with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Washington native slammed a double to the left-center gap to score a speedy Thompson from third, sending the game to extras. 

In the top of the eighth, the Thunderbirds regained the lead and caused the Vikings' first pitching change since the tournament began. Marisol Gaona came in relief for Grey to finish things off in the top half of the inning.

A leadoff home run from Emily Johansen knotted things once again in the bottom half of the eighth but the Vikings were unable to add another as they headed to the ninth.

Following a three-up-three down frame from Gaona, the Vikings put two on to open the bottom half of the ninth. Once again, Lopez delivered the clutch hit as she brought in Marissa Bruno with a walk-off RBI to seal the deal.

Johansen and Thompson led the Viking offense, each finishing with a team-high two hits. They combined for four of the Vikings ten. Lopez led the way with three RBI. 

Portland State will advance to the Championship as the lone unbeaten team left in the tournament. The Vikings will need just one win tomorrow to clinch the title. Their first chance will come at 11 AM PT and a second game will follow if needed. The Vikings will await the winner of the semifinal matchup Saturday morning against two-seed Southern Utah and the winner of No. 3 Sacramento State and No. 6 Montana.