HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Portland State softball opened the OUTRIGGER Classic with a 9-0 run-rule victory over Mercyhurst at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Thursday.

The Vikings (4-7) piggybacked off a nearly perfect performance from Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung in the circle. The senior from Waianae, held Mercyhurst (0-5) to just one hit across five innings of work while adding four strikeouts in her homecoming to Hawai'i.

Portland State's Breanna Lutz got things started in the opening inning, scoring Grace Johnson with a sacrifice fly to give the Vikings an early lead. However, the Vikings were unable to extend it over the next few innings, entering the fifth clinging to a 1-0 advantage. That's when Alison Harris sparked a much-needed rally, knocking a leadoff double down the left-field line. A few batters later, Johnson scored Jolee Benson, and Lutz followed with an RBI double to make it 3-0. A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and a passed ball brought home two more runs before RBIs from Gracie Toney, Harris and Sofia Peato pushed the lead to 9-0.

Nakoa-Chung, who allowed only two baserunners through the first four innings, shut down the Lakers in the bottom of the fifth to seal the run-rule victory — the first of the season for Portland State.

The Vikings finished with nine hits, six of which came in the fifth inning. Harris and Lutz led the way with two hits apiece.

Portland State returns to action tomorrow at Rainbow Wahine Stadium, scheduled to face Mercyhurst again at 1:00 p.m. HT / 3:00 p.m. PT before taking on Hawai'i at 6:00 p.m. HT / 8:00 p.m. PT.