SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Despite a solid day at the plate, the Portland State softball team gave up too many runs on the second day of the Golden Coast Classic, falling to Columbia 8-6 and Santa Clara 11-2 at the Santa Clara Softball Stadium on Saturday.
The Vikings dropped to 0-4 on the weekend, bringing their overall record to 4-22. Columbia improved to 5-6, while Santa Clara, securing their second win over the Vikings this weekend, moved to 15-10 overall.
Results aside, Portland State's offensive production was notable, posting a doubleheader season-high .346 batting average over the two games. In the opener, the Vikings recorded a season-best 11 hits against Columbia, followed by seven hits in game two.
Additionally, the Vikings showed resilience in game one, nearly completing a comeback after falling behind early, 4-0. They answered the deficit in the top of the third with two runs, courtesy of a clutch two-out, two-RBI single from Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung. Columbia countered with three runs in the bottom of the third, extending its advantage to 7-2. However, PSU's bats continued to produce, adding three more runs in the fifth with RBIs from Lorraine Alo and Natalia Martinez, trimming the deficit to two.
An inning later, the Lions tacked on an insurance run to extend their lead to 8-5, heading into the final frame with a three-run advantage. Looking for a rally, the Vikings loaded the bases with no outs. After a force-out at home plate, Jade Henry delivered for PSU, recording the first RBI of her Viking career to make it 8-6.
However, the Lions cut the comeback effort short, sealing the win with a game-ending double play in the following at-bat.
Seven Vikings contributed to the season-high 11 hits in the loss, with Grace Johnson leading the charge, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
Unfortunately, PSU was unable to replicate its comeback effort in the second game against host school Santa Clara. The Broncos scored one run in the first inning and added six more in the third to take a commanding 7-0 lead. The Vikings responded in the fourth, sparked by a leadoff single from Nichole Orozco. Ellie Babbitt drove her in with a triple to the right-center gap before Martinez followed with an RBI single to score Babbitt.
The Broncos tightened up after that, halting the rally and taking their 7-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth. They then added four more runs before shutting down the Vikings in the fifth to win via run rule, 11-2.
The Vikings were again productive at the plate, tallying seven hits but stranding eight runners. Babbitt led with three hits, while four others added one each.
Portland State was originally scheduled to close the weekend against Saint Mary's in Moraga, Calif., but due to forecasted weather, the Sunday schedule has been adjusted. The Vikings will now get a rematch against Columbia at 9:30 AM tomorrow (Sunday, March 16) at Santa Clara Softball Stadium.
