PORTLAND, Ore. - Led by a talented and passionate group of seniors, the Portland State softball team will open the 2024 season with a five-game slate in Southern California this weekend (Feb. 9-11)

Due to rainy weather, the Vikings' opening weekend schedule has undergone several changes over the past week. All games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9 at the annual Lynn Russell Miller Classic in Riverside, Calif. have been called off. This means the Vikings will not face their originally slated opponents, #11 Oklahoma State or Utah State on opening day. Instead, they will travel to Northridge, Calif. on Friday for a season-opening doubleheader at CSUN beginning at 11 a.m. PT. The Vikings will continue action on Saturday in Riverside for the start of the Lynn Russell Miller Classic, facing Utah State in a single game at 11:30 a.m. They'll end the weekend on Sunday with a 9 a.m. doubleheader against Utah State and UC Riverside.

Friday's games at CSUN will air on ESPN+. The games taking place in Riverside on Saturday and Sunday will not be streamed live, but live stats will be available. 

Friday, Feb. 9 | Northridge, CA (Matador Diamond) 
Game 1: Portland State at CSUN (11am) - Live Stats  |  ESPN+
Game 2: Portland State at CSUN (1pm) - Live Stats  |  ESPN+
-- CSUN Notes: The Vikings trail the all-time series against the Matadors, 4-3. The last meeting between the programs in 2016 saw 28 runs scored in a 16-12 CSUN victory. The Matadors went 28-24 during the 2023 season, posting a 19-8 record against Big West opponents. The Matadors will take on Oklahoma State on Thursday before hosting the Vikings. They're led by fourth-year head coach Charlotte Morgan. 

Saturday, Feb. 10 | Riverside, CA (Amy S. Harrison Field)
Game 3: Portland State vs. Utah State (11:30am) - Live Stats
-- Utah State Notes: The Vikings currently hold a 7-4 all-time series lead over the Aggies despite a 5-1 loss in their most recent matchup back in 2020. Utah State had a season similar to the Vikings in 2023, ending with an 18-26 record (9-13 MWC). However, last year's outcomes may not carry significant weight as they welcomed Todd Judge as their new head coach in June 2023. Consequently, Saturday's game will mark Judge's debut as head coach of the program.

Sunday, Feb. 11 | Riverside, CA (Amy S. Harrison Field)
Game 4: Portland State vs. Utah State (9am) - Live Stats
Game 5: Portland State vs. Utah State (11:30am) - Live Stats
-- UC Riverside Notes: The Vikings lead the all-time series 5-4 over UCR after a 7-1 win in their most recent matchup during the 2022 Lynn Russell Miller Classic. The Highlanders are coming off a solid 25-28 2023 campaign in which they complied an 11-16 record against Big West opponents. Head Coach Nikki Palmer leads UCR in her eighth season at the helm in 2024.

2024 VIKINGS SOFTBALL SEASON PREVIEW 

This weekend, nine members of the Portland State softball team will step onto the field for the final season opener of their collegiate careers, marking the beginning of many "lasts" as they kick off the 2024 campaign.

The talented group of veterans possesses all the necessary qualities to lead PSU to a championship in their farewell season. Having clinched a Big Sky title as freshmen and sophomores in 2021, they understand exactly what it takes to succeed. Luckily, so does their leader, eighth-year head coach Meadow McWhorter.
 
During McWhorter's seven-year tenure, the Vikings have amassed 114 wins while becoming a regular presence in the Big Sky tournament. As part of their five consecutive postseason appearances, they've secured 11 victories and have been among the final three teams standing in each of the last three BSC Tournaments. Yet, it's the loyalty within McWhorter's program that truly sets it apart from others. The 2024 senior class perfectly exemplifies this. Eight out of the nine Vikings set to expire their eligibility in 2024 have donned green and grey for their entire collegiate careers, flourishing under McWhorter's leadership. This type of commitment is a rarity in today's college athletics, which has become increasingly dominated by the transfer portal.
 
A high rate of player retention ultimately leads to stronger coach-player relationships, a value McWhorter prioritizes above all else.

When asked about this group of seniors, McWhorter responded sentimentally, "I get emotional just reflecting on the amount of time I've spent with this group. I've known several of them since they were sophomores in high school. That's a significant amount of time spent together."

Marisol Gaona and Emily Johansen may have been known to McWhorter even longer, as they enter their fifth seasons at Portland State. Both are taking advantage of the additional year granted by the NCAA due to the 2020 COVID-19 season. Logan Riggenbach, Alexa Cepeda, Maddie Thompson, Shea Garcia, Paetynn Lopez, and Allicitie Frost comprise the core group of seniors who began their careers in 2021. Completing the group is Makayla Romeo, a graduate transfer who joined the Vikings this past fall.

With at least one senior in every position group, consistent leadership will be an invaluable asset for the newcomers and underclassmen.

McWhorter also reflected on this, noting, "When I look at our seniors and think back to the young girls who first walked through our doors four years ago to the women they are today, the growth has been incredible. Now, they're the ones shaping the young teammates next to them."

With their seasoned leadership, Riggenbach and Cepeda will spearhead the Vikings' outfield unit. Riggenbach, a 2022 First Team All-Big Sky and Third Team All-Pacific Region honoree, has proved to be one of the most dependable outfielders in NCAA Division I softball. She tallied a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage and extended her errorless streak to 105 consecutive starts last season. With 173 consecutive putouts, Riggenbach's remarkable consistency dates back to Feb. 27, 2021. Also contributing to the outfield solidity is Cepeda, who boasts 101 career starts during her career, registering 130 putouts and four assists. Meanwhile, Junior Ellie Babbitt, a versatile athlete recognized for her series of remarkable catches in left field last season, has fully embraced her identity as an outfielder. After taking a medical redshirt in 2023, redshirt sophomore Grace Johnson is set to make her return to the diamond this season along with third-year returner Neveah Smith. Both Smith and Johnson have exceptional speed, making them valuable assets to the Vikings both offensively and defensively. Finally, junior transfer from San Jose City College, Jade Henry, adds another layer of talent to the outfield lineup rounding out the group as the sole newcomer.

The Vikings will see the return of three out of four starting infielders from 2023, but with the departure of all-conference shortstop Olivia Dean, a notable gap needs to be filled. Despite Dean's departure, the infield remains in good hands. Leading the charge are 2023 First Team All-Big Sky infielders, Johansen and Thompson, who will secure the right side. Johansen made history last year as Portland State's first-ever Big Sky Player of the Year, dominating the conference in nearly every offensive category during the regular season and later earning third-team all-region honors at first base. Meanwhile, Thompson showcased her reliability at second in 2023, notching 76 putouts, 52 assists, and only two errors. Freshman big hitter Lorraine Alo also joins the right side of the infield taking reps at first base. Garcia and junior Natalia Martinez will both see action at third, locking down the hot corner for the Vikings.

As for the crucial shortstop position left vacant by Dean, the responsibility falls upon a duo of Viking newcomers. Junior transfer Pese Matautia and freshman Brooke Subia have the skills needed to fill the role and both will have opportunities to showcase them in the coming weeks.

When asked about the Vikings' goals for their non-conference schedule, McWhorter emphasized the team's approach: "We want to approach each game as an opportunity to learn and grow. These games allow us to find our identity and see how we can best combine our newcomers with the experience we have returning."

The Vikings' identity largely hinges on the pitching staff, which features four returners from last year. Frost aims to build on her strong junior season, earning second-team all-conference recognition in 2023. Gaona, despite a season-ending injury last year, also brings valuable experience to the circle. Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung and Annie Lemos return to the rubber this season after seeing ample appearances in 2023. Joining the staff are newcomers Grace Kimball and Gracie Walters. Kimball, a junior transfer from Boise State, will bring an experienced and confident approach to the staff. Walters, a standout transfer from College of Southern Idaho was poised to do the same. However, she was sidelined by injury in the fall, delaying her PSU debut until 2025.

A seasoned veteran behind the plate, Lopez looks to leave her mark in her final season. The 2022 all-conference honoree is a key player both offensively and defensively for the Vikings. Sophomore Alison Harris and Romeo will further strengthen the catching corps alongside Lopez.
 
Regarding the primary key to success this season, McWhorter's response was straightforward: "Pitching and defense." With a solid offensive lineup, the Vikings' team batting average has topped the Big Sky two of the last three seasons and with key returning players, they are poised to maintain their success in that aspect of the game.
 
Portland State finished 2023 with a conference-best .301 batting average and .387 on-base percentage. Five Vikings finished the season above .300, including returners Thompson (.345), Johansen (.344) and Riggenbach (.315). Additionally, Johansen (.461) and Thompson's (.441) on-base percentages ranked atop the Big Sky. Martinez, Lopez and Johansen will provide the majority of the power in the Vikings' batting order after combining for 15 home runs a season ago.

While the Vikings undoubtedly possess offensive potential, to perform at the highest level, they must complement it with strong defense and pitching.
 
"We've talked a lot with our pitchers about the importance of putting us in the best position to win," McWhorter said. "Solid production in the circle will allow our defense to make plays and that's the goal." McWhorter's philosophy is supported by their conference-leading .963 fielding percentage in 2023.

The Vikings will play 25 non-conference contests before opening Big Sky action on March 29-30 at Idaho State. They'll host four home doubleheaders at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex during the 25-game non-conference stretch. Following that, they'll conclude their home schedule with conference series' against Weber State (April 5-6) and Montana (April 20-21). The Big Sky Tournament is scheduled to take place in Pocatello, Idaho from May 8-11.

With 40 games scheduled for the regular season, the Vikings, led by a substantial senior class, will undoubtedly treat each game as if it's their last. This mindset alone unlocks endless possibilities for McWhorter's team.

When asked about what makes this team special, McWhorter didn't focus on their talent or accolades but instead, on the joy she gets from coaching them. "I absolutely love coming to work every day because of this team," she shared. "I'm really just trying to enjoy every day with them and this special group of seniors."

It's this exact perspective that lays the groundwork for the program's continued success, and this team is destined to build upon that legacy in 2024.

 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video