NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The Portland State softball team endured a tough start to its 2024 season on Friday, falling to CSUN 8-2 and 3-2 in the season-opening doubleheader at Matador Diamond.

Although it wasn't the start the Vikings (0-2) hoped for, this weekend offers three more chances for redemption against Utah State and UC Riverside. Friday's sweep improved the Matadors to 2-1, avenging their season-opening loss to #11 Oklahoma State on Thursday.

Junior transfer Grace Kimball made her debut in the circle for the Vikings in game one. The Matadors' offense had a dangerous start, loading the bases with no outs in the opening inning. Once settled in, Kimball worked out of the jam limiting the Matadors to just two runs before holding them scoreless in their next three at-bats.

The Vikings' offense broke through in the fourth inning, with Paetynn Lopez and Ellie Babbitt setting the stage for Alexa Cepeda's two-out two-RBI single that tied the game. However, the Matadors responded quickly, retaking the lead with two runs in their half of the fourth. CSUN's bats eventually broke things open in the fifth, tallying four runs on three hits to take an 8-2 lead. Portland State failed to close the gap in the ensuing innings as the Matadors secured the 8-2 victory.

Game two saw the Vikings take an early lead with a sacrifice fly from Lopez in the top of the first. Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, who relieved Kimball in the sixth inning of game one, got the start for the Vikings. After being held scoreless in the first,  defensive errors allowed CSUN to tie the game in the second. They posed another threat in the third, loading the bases with no outs. Allicitie Frost was called on for Portland State, limiting the damage to just a single run while striking out two of the three batters she faced.

Portland State tied the game at two in the fourth. Sophomore Alison Harris delivered in a crucial moment, combining her first career hit with her first career RBI, bringing home Babbitt with a double to right center. However, CSUN responded quickly once again, capitalizing on another Viking error to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

In their final at-bat, the Vikings threatened, putting two runners on with no outs but a pivotal double play and a strikeout ended their chances as CSUN clinched the sweep.

Despite getting the loss in the circle, Frost was impressive in her first outing of the season. She allowed just a single hit in four innings of work while striking out three.

In the opening game, the Vikings managed just two hits, but they bounced back with seven in the afternoon finale. Leading the way was Babbitt, who was 4-for-7 at the plate with two doubles. CSUN tallied ten hits on the day, five in each contest.

UP NEXT:
Portland State kicks off the Lynn Russell Miller Classic tomorrow in Riverside. They'll open against Utah State at 11:30 am on Saturday, followed by a doubleheader against Utah State and UC Riverside on Sunday.