HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Portland State softball team dropped both games of its series-opening doubleheader against Sacramento State on Friday, April 15 at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. The Hornets opened the day with a 9-0 mercy-rule win followed by a 4-1 victory in game two. The Vikings dropped to 15-21 (6-5 BSC), while the Hornets improved to 25-14 (9-2 BSC).

Sacramento State started its scoring early in game one, taking a 1-0 lead off a bases-loaded walk in the top of the first. Viking starter Olivia Grey was able to limit the damage, shutting down the Hornets' final two batters to escape the inning. 

The Hornets broke things open in the third, compiling eight hits and eight runs to take a 9-0 lead. Annie Lemos held Sacramento State scoreless the next two innings but the Viking offense was unable to solve Marissa Bertuccio in the circle. The senior held the Vikings hitless over five innings, sealing the 9-0 run-rule win and her second career no-hitter. 

Looking to bounce back in game two, Allicitie Frost put the Vikings in a position to do so, limiting the Hornets to just four hits and one run through four frames. A three-hit, three-run top of the fifth gave Sacramento State a 4-0 lead. The Vikings responded in the home half of the fifth when Olivia Dean scored as the result of a Hornet error. 

The scoring ended there, as Sacramento State shut down PSU's bats for the remainder of the contest to claim the 4-1 win and clinch the series. 

Frost finished with four strikeouts, allowing four earned runs on seven hits. The Vikings tallied four hits as Emily Johansen led the way with two. 

With a victory in tomorrow's series finale, the Vikings can keep their regular season title hopes alive, otherwise, the Hornets will clinch the regular season title. Saturday's contest will be the final home game of the season for the Vikings, as they'll honor their lone senior, Olivia Dean prior to first pitch at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex (12 p.m.).