The Portland State softball team ended a long losing streak against Boise State, splitting their games on the second day of the Blue Collar Classic in Boise, Idaho. The Vikings lost 5-3 to St. Thomas before defeating Boise State 4-1 at Dona Larsen Park.
With this win, Portland State (8-11) secured its first victory over the Broncos (10-14) since 2015 and stopped Boise State’s 10-game winning run in the series.
In the opening game, Portland State fell behind early after allowing one run in the first inning and four more in the third to St. Thomas (16-6). The Vikings narrowed the gap in the sixth inning by taking advantage of a walk and two errors from St. Thomas, loading the bases. Alison Harris drove in a run with a fielder’s choice, followed by an RBI single from Gracie Toney to make it 5-2.
Portland State loaded the bases again in the seventh inning and cut the deficit to two runs with an RBI single from Jolee Benson. However, St. Thomas managed to secure the final two outs for the win.
Despite recording 11 hits in game one—including three from Nichole Orozco—the Vikings could not complete their comeback.
In game two against Boise State, Portland State took an aggressive approach. Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung pitched a complete game and opened scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Abigail Carsley hit her first career home run as a Viking later that inning to give Portland State a 2-0 lead.
The Vikings extended their lead in the third inning with RBIs from Orozco and Benson, making it 4-0. Boise State responded with a solo home run in the sixth but was unable to close further as Nakoa-Chung and her defense held firm. Nakoa-Chung improved her record to 4-3 with her second complete-game win of the weekend, striking out four batters and allowing seven hits.
Five different Vikings contributed at least one hit during their six-hit performance against Boise State; Grace Johnson led with two hits.
Portland State will finish its weekend schedule on Saturday with another matchup against St. Thomas at Dona Larsen Park.
