FULLERTON, Calif. – Portland State softball earned its first win of the 2026 season Saturday under the lights at Anderson Family Field, defeating host Cal State Fullerton 3-1 behind a phenomenal defensive and pitching performance. The victory came after a 10-2 loss to Boise State to open the day.

The Vikings' (1-3) victory marked the 150th of Head Coach Meadow McWhorter's Portland State career and the program's first win over Cal State Fullerton in over a decade. It also marked just their second non-conference road win since the 2024 season, coming against a talented Cal State Fullerton squad that entered the game 3-1 (now 3-2).

The Vikings' afternoon opened with a matchup against Boise State (3-2), a game they kept within reach for five full innings, before the Broncos ran away with it in the sixth inning. 

The Broncos got started early, bringing three runs across in the opening inning. Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, who was in the circle for the Vikings, got her team on the board with a two-out RBI double in the top of the second to cut the lead to 3-1. Boise State added two more in the bottom of the third, but the Vikings responded when freshman Sofia Peato blasted her first collegiate home run to make it 5-2.

Giselle Pantoja, who took over in the circle in the third, silenced Boise State's offense for the next two frames. However, the Bronco bats came alive again in the sixth, bringing five runs across to end the game via run rule.

Portland State was quick to shake off the loss, returning to action shortly after against Cal State Fullerton. The Vikings' defense came to play against the Titans, turning three double plays along with several web gems to back starting pitcher Anna Jardin. Jardin tossed a complete game, allowing eight hits but no extra-base hits while giving up zero earned runs.

With the defense firing on all cylinders, the Vikings' offense held up its end as well, reaching base in all seven innings. They left 12 runners stranded but came through when it mattered most. An infield single from Mia Martinez scored Kendall Nevin in the top of the third to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. The Titans evened the score with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

The Vikings loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for Nichole Orozco, who knocked a single up the middle to score Gracie Toney and Breanna Lutz.

Jardin and the defense had a 3-1 lead to work with in the bottom of the seventh, and the Titans made them earn it, reaching with their leadoff hitter in the inning. However, the Vikings shut down the threat, getting the lead runner out before doubling up the Titans on the final play of the game to secure the win.

Portland State tallied seven hits against the Titans, following a four-hit game against the Broncos to open the day. Grace Johnson and  Orozco led the Vikings' offense across the two games. Johnson reached base in five of her six plate appearances, going 2-for-3 with three walks, while Orozco went 3-for-5 at the plate.

The Vikings have one more game this weekend as they close out the Easton Classic on Sunday, Feb. 8, with a 10:00 a.m. rematch against CSUN.