NAMPA, Idaho- The Portland State softball team opened Big Sky play with a 3-1 victory over Idaho State Friday afternoon at Bobby Welch Halle Field.

The win marked the Vikings' ninth in their last 11 outings as they improved to 12-16 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Bengals dropped to 18-18 on the year and 0-1 in Big Sky action.

Portland State's Grace Kimball was phenomenal in the first Big Sky start of her career, striking out eight while holding the Bengals to four hits in the complete-game win. The Vikings' offense was equally as impressive, matching their season-high 12 hits against the conference's top pitching staff.

The Vikings posed a threat in their opening at-bat, loading the bases with three consecutive base hits by Emily Johansen, Lorraine Alo and Logan Riggenbach. Natalia Martinez capitalized on the opportunity, drawing a two-out walk to score Johansen and give Portland State the lead.

The Vikings tacked on two more runs in the top of the third. Ellie Babbitt began the rally with her first home run of the season before Alexa Cepeda tripled to left field to bring home Alapese Matautia.

Idaho State scored in the bottom of the third, using a leadoff double, a one-out walk, and a fielder's choice to cut into PSU's lead. Kimball held them scoreless for the remainder of the contest, allowing just two hits in their final four at-bats as the Vikings clinched the series-opening victory.

Kimball improved to 7-7 on the season in the circle. Johansen led Portland State with a 4-for-4 day at the plate, while seven other Vikings recorded at least one hit in the win.

The Vikings will look to clinch their conference-opening series with a win in Saturday's doubleheader. The doubleheader will begin at 3:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. MT at Boise State's Huber Field at Dona Larsen Park.