POCATELLO, Idaho - In a game defined by a decisive four-run seventh inning, the fourth-seeded Portland State softball team suffered a narrow defeat in their opening game of the 2024 Big Sky Tournament on Wednesday, falling 4-3 to a fifth-seeded Weber State at Miller Ranch Stadium.
 
The Vikings fell to 19-23 overall while the Wildcats improved to 21-26 on the season. Despite Wednesday's loss, it marked the sixth postseason encounter between the programs, with PSU still leading 4-2 overall.
 
Natalia Martinez set the tone for Portland State in the opening inning, driving in Maddie Thompson to secure PSU's first lead. However, Weber State leveled the score in the fifth frame with an RBI infield single. The tie was then broken in the following inning by Logan Riggenbach, who delivered a clutch RBI double to center field, bringing Neveah Smith home.
 
The back-and-forth battle continued into the seventh, with the Wildcats scoring three runs, including a two-run homer and a wild pitch, to take a 4-2 lead.
 
Alexa Cepeda gave Portland State the spark it needed to open the bottom half of the seventh, reaching base on an infield single. Subsequently, the Vikings loaded the bases with a double from Emily Johansen and a walk by Lorraine Alo. With two outs, Natalia Martinez drew a bases-loaded walk, narrowing the gap to one run. Riggenbach then faced a tense two-out, bases-loaded full count before a liner landed in the glove of Weber State's first baseman, ending the Vikings' comeback bid.
 
The Wildcats out-hit the Vikings 8-6, although they managed just two hits across their first four at-bats against Viking starter Grace Kimball. Six Vikings contributed to their hit total, with Martinez leading the charge with two RBI.
 
While the Vikings may be down, they're not out. They now turn their attention to Thursday's slate, where they'll face the loser of No. 2 Idaho State and No. 3 Sacramento State at 3:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 9th in Pocatello. 
 
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