SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Portland State softball team lost its final two games of the Silicon Valley Classic by a total of just three runs on Sunday, falling to San Jose State (5-4) 9-7 before suffering a 6-5 extra-inning loss to Fordham (4-6) in nine innings at the Spartan Softball Stadium.
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Despite a pair of remarkable comeback efforts on Sunday, the Vikings finished the Silicon Valley Classic 0-5, falling to 1-9 overall. However, four of their five losses over the weekend were by two runs or less.
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Portland State was the first to score in its opening game of the day against San Jose State.
Paetynn Lopez put the Vikings on top with an RBI single that scored
Alison Harris. The Spartans quickly matched that, and then some, to take a 5-1 lead. However, the Vikings' offense surged in the fifth inning as Lopez,
Brooke Subia,
Alapese Matautia, and
Natalia Martinez each delivered consecutive RBI singles. Cepeda brought in the final run of the frame with a fielder's choice RBI to complete the six-run inning and secure a 7-5 lead for the Vikings.
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SJSU answered quickly again, putting together a four-hit, four-run sixth inning to reclaim the lead at 9-7. A three-up three-down seventh frame allowed the Spartans to hold on to their lead and clinch the victory.
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Game two was similar.
Once again, the Vikings found themselves in a tough spot early on as Fordham built a 4-0 lead with runs in the first, second, and fifth innings. In the sixth, Lopez lit a spark for the Vikings driving in
Logan Riggenbach with an RBI double, narrowing the lead to 4-1.
Subia's lead-off walk provided hope for the Vikings in the top of the seventh, but two consecutive flyouts put that hope in jeopardy. However, a
Lorraine Alo single and a Fordham error, which allowed
Shea Garcia to reach base and Subia to score, breathed new life into the Vikings, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
All eyes were on Riggenbach after that, as she stepped up to bat with two outs, two on and her team trailing by two. Facing a full count, the senior came through clutch knocking a two-RBI bases-clearing double to left field, tying the game at four and forcing extra innings.
Both teams began the eighth inning with a runner on second but neither managed to score. However, in the ninth, Portland State seized the opportunity when
Jade Henry crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make it 5-4.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, their lead didn't last long. Fordham responded in the bottom of the ninth, securing the victory with back-to-back RBI to win 6-5.
The Vikings had their best game at the plate this season in game one, recording a season-high 12 hits against the Spartans. Riggenbach and Lopez led the charge in both games, combining for seven hits and five RBI on the day. Alo was a perfect 3-for-3, recording a hit against the Spartans and two against the Rams.
Portland State will be back in action next weekend with a rare break from traveling in February. They will host Pacific for a home-opening doubleheader on Saturday, February 24, starting at 1 p.m.
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