SEATTLE, Wash. – The Portland State softball team fell to No. 6 Washington 3-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Regionals in Seattle on Friday.
 
The loss dropped the Vikings to 15-25 overall while Washington improved to 42-11 on the year.
 
Olivia Grey got her fifth-straight start in the circle for the Vikings after earning a trio of wins in the Big Sky Conference tournament last weekend.
 
Washington was quick to get on the board as they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With a second runner in scoring position, back-to-back diving plays from Ariana Abalos at third base ended the Husky threat.
 
The game remained scoreless through four innings as Grey settled in on the rubber allowing just two hits across three frames.
 
Portland State reached a pair of runners with two outs in the fifth inning after Tayler Gunesch drew a walk and Olivia Dean followed with an infield single. Unable to capitalize the Vikings stranded Gunesch and Dean as the score remained 1-0.
 
Washington added to its lead in their half of the fifth beginning with an RBI double to the right field wall to make it 2-0. With two outs and two on the Vikings attempted to end the inning with a throw down to second base. The Huskies executed, sliding in safely at second and bringing in their third runner of the night from third base to take a 3-0 lead.
 
Emily Johansen was the third Viking to reach base of the night with two outs in the final frame but the Huskies closed the door to clinch the 3-0 win.
 
Despite the loss, Grey held the sixth-ranked Huskies to just six hits in the contest. Dean and Johansen combined for the only two hits on the night against Washington's two-time All-American Gabbie Plain.
 
Portland State will take on Seattle University tomorrow in a 5:30 PM PT elimination matchup on EPSN3. An audio stream will also be available at goviks.com.
 
No. 6 Washington will advance to take on the 20^th ranked Michigan Wolverines tomorrow at 3 PM PT. The loser will await the winner of Portland State and Seattle.