Portland State softball opened its home schedule at Hillsboro Ballpark on March 20, splitting a doubleheader against North Dakota. The Vikings won the first game 1-0 behind a no-hit shutout from Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, but dropped the second game 4-3.
The opening game featured a strong pitching performance by Nakoa-Chung, who recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts and delivered Portland State’s first seven-inning no-hitter since 2012. Both teams struggled offensively, with PSU managing five hits against North Dakota pitcher Unity Nelson. The game’s only run came in the bottom of the seventh inning after pinch hitters Samiya Wright and Sofia Peato reached base, setting up Grace Johnson to force an error that allowed Jacobi Coombs to score.
Johnson led the Vikings’ offense in the opener with two hits, marking her tenth multi-hit game of the season. In the second game, Portland State was limited to three hits while North Dakota collected ten but left eleven runners stranded. The Vikings scored first in the opening inning when Orozco drove in Johnson on an RBI fielder’s choice. North Dakota responded late, tying the game in the sixth and taking a lead with a two-run rally in the seventh.
Portland State attempted a comeback in their final at-bat as Sierra Llamas singled and Johnson forced another error that allowed Kainani Jacang to score. However, Johnson was thrown out trying to advance to third base on the same play, ending PSU’s rally and giving North Dakota a 3-2 win.
Gracie Walters pitched six innings for Portland State in game two before Nakoa-Chung entered for relief in the final frame. The Vikings will continue their homestand at Hillsboro Ballpark on Sunday, March 22 with a doubleheader against Santa Clara scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m.
