The Portland State softball team ended its weekend at the Blue Collar Classic in Boise with a 10-3 loss to St. Thomas on Saturday. The Vikings, now holding an 8-12 record, had hoped to recover from an earlier defeat against the Tommies but managed only two hits in the game.
Despite the loss, Portland State’s offense showed promise during the tournament, including a notable victory over Boise State on Friday—their first win against that team since 2015. However, they could not sustain that momentum in their rematch with St. Thomas (17-6).
St. Thomas took an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning. Abigail Carsley gave Portland State a brief advantage in the fourth inning by hitting a two-out, three-run homer that brought home Jolee Benson and Nichole Orozco. “Carsley answered in the bottom of the fourth, driving a two-out, three-run shot that scored Jolee Benson and Nichole Orozco to put the Vikings in front, 3-1.” The Tommies quickly responded in the fifth inning with back-to-back solo home runs to tie the game.
St. Thomas gained control by scoring three runs on three hits in the sixth inning and added four more runs in the seventh to secure their win.
Anna Jardin started for Portland State and pitched five innings—three of them scoreless—before handing off to relievers in the later innings. Three other pitchers appeared for Portland State during the game. Outside of Carsley’s home run, Orozco recorded Portland State’s only other hit and led her team over the weekend with a .357 batting average.
During their time at Boise, Portland State set a season high by hitting five home runs across five games.
The Vikings are scheduled to finish non-conference road play next weekend at the LMU Invite in Los Angeles from March 13-14 before returning for their home opener on March 20.
