YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The Portland State softball team split Saturday's doubleheader at the Mardi Gras Mambo, falling to No. 20 Louisiana 11-6 in the first game before beating Nicholls State 1-0 in the second. 

The Vikings had their work cut out for them in the opening contest as they faced the 20th ranked Ragin' Cajuns. Louisiana took control early on, rattling off five hits and five runs in the opening two innings.

After allowing another run in the top of the third, PSU got on the board in the bottom half of the frame following a bases loaded walk from Kiara McCrea to make it 6-1.

Adding to their lead in the fourth and the fifth, the Ragin' Cajuns found themselves just three outs away from a run-rule victory but the Vikings refused to back down.

After Louisiana gave up another bases-loaded walk, Logan Riggenbach brought the Vikings back to life with a bases-clearing double to left-center. Two plays later, Mariah Rodriguez knocked an RBI single up the middle to pull the Vikings within five.

The remaining two innings went scoreless as the Ragin' Cajuns walked away with the 11-6 victory.

Portland State notched seven hits in the contest. Rodriguez, Riggenbach, and Grace Johnson led the way with two each. 

In game two, Olivia Grey took center stage against Nicholls State, striking out nine batters and allowing just one hit in her first shutout win of the season (1-0). 

The game's only run came in the bottom of the third when McCrea brought in Maddie Thompson with a two-out infield single. The Colonels tested the Vikings in the final inning, drawing back-to-back walks with one out. Grey battled back, fanning the final two batters to seal the deal for Portland State.

The Vikings will take on Northwestern State in their final game of the weekend on Sunday at 7 a.m. PT.