MISSOULA, Mont. — Portland State softball battled back from a three-run deficit in its series finale against Montana on Sunday but couldn't hold off the Grizzlies, falling 5-4 at Grizzly Softball Field.
The Vikings (10-22, 0-3 BSC) put together a solid offensive showing, highlighted by a pair of home runs and a game-tying rally in the sixth inning. Montana (11-22, 3-0 BSC), however, answered with consistent hitting of its own, scoring in four straight at-bats to secure the win and clinch the series sweep—its first over the Vikings since 2021.
After a scoreless start, Abigail Carsley put Portland State on the board in the third with a solo home run to center, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead. The Grizzlies countered in the bottom half of the inning, bringing two across to go up 2-1. They added to their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth, sending PSU into the sixth trailing 4-1.
The Vikings used that deficit as fuel. Nichole Orozco opened the inning with a leadoff walk, setting up a two-run home run from Mia Martinez to pull PSU within a run. Later in the inning, Carsley came through again with an RBI double down the left-field line to even the score at 4-4.
Montana responded in the bottom of the sixth, delivering the go-ahead with a two-out RBI double to take a 5-4 lead. Portland State put the tying run on base in the seventh with a walk and a single but couldn't find the final hit to extend the game as UM secured the win.
The Vikings finished with eight hits on the day, matching the Griz. Carsley led the way, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Both Gracie Walters and Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung saw time in the circle for the Vikings. Nakoa-Chung tossed five innings, striking out seven.
Portland State will look to bounce back next weekend with a three-game Big Sky series at Idaho State (April 3-4) in Pocatello, Idaho.
WATCH: Portland State sophomore right fielder Gracie Toney landed a spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays Saturday night.
