HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Portland State softball team had a strong start to its 2023 home schedule on Thursday, earning back-to-back wins in its doubleheader against Saint Martin's at Hillsboro Stadium. The Vikings jumped to 8-16 overall while the Saints fell to 13-8.

Logan Riggenbach got the day started for the Vikings with a fielder's choice RBI to give Portland State the lead in the opening inning of game one. After the Saints tied the game at one an inning later, the Vikings' offense pushed across three more, highlighted by Trinity Holden's first career collegiate home run. After scoring two in the third, the Saints took their first lead of the day in the top of the fourth, putting pressure on the Vikings as they took a 5-4 lead.

A Paetynn Lopez home run and an RBI double from Natalia Martinez put the Vikings back on top in the fifth inning. After taking over for Viking starter Bailey Rose in the fourth inning, Allicitie Frost closed things out for PSU, holding the Saints scoreless in the final two innings to secure the 6-5 win. Frost earned the win, improving to 1-4 on the year.

Led by Martinez who went 2-for-3 at the dish, the Vikings tallied six hits in game one. 

Portland State's bats heated up in the nightcap despite the Saints taking an early lead, bringing one across in the top of the first. Responding quickly, Olivia Dean and Emily Johansen set the tone for PSU, knocking back-to-back singles through the left side to start the rally. After a wild pitch and a fielders choice RBI from Holden, Alexa Cepeda and Maddie Thompson knocked a pair of RBI to close the scoring as the Vikings headed into the second inning with a 5-1 lead.

The game remained at 5-1 until the bottom of the fourth when a two-run blast from Johansen extended the lead for Portland State. Dean, who had a team-high three hits in game two added another run in the fifth with a two-out RBI single to left field.

Holden finished things off for the Vikings in the bottom of the sixth, securing the mercy rule win with a three-run shot to left field, her second home run of the day.

Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung pitched lights out for Portland State after taking over for Annie Lemos in the second inning. Nakoa-Chung held the Saints to just a single hit, striking out nine in the process. She picked up the first win of her collegiate career, improving to 1-3 on the season. The Vikings' pitching staff combined for 21 strikeouts over two games.  

Portland State will return to action at home for another mid-week doubleheader on Tuesday, March 28. They'll host Pacific (Ore.) at Gordon Faber Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.