Portland State softball lost its series finale against Santa Clara on March 23, with the Broncos securing a 5-2 victory at Hillsboro Ballpark.
The game saw Portland State holding a two-run lead into the late innings before Santa Clara rallied with five runs in the sixth inning. The loss brings Portland State’s overall record to 10-19 as they prepare for their Big Sky Conference opener next weekend. Santa Clara improved its season record to 15-16 after taking the series two games to one.
Early in Sunday’s matchup, pitcher Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung kept Santa Clara scoreless through five innings, allowing only two hits and preventing any runners from advancing past second base during that span. Offensively, Portland State took a lead in the third inning when Jolee Benson doubled and Grace Johnson singled, setting up RBI walks by Abigail Carsley and Sierra Llamas for a 2-0 advantage.
Santa Clara’s breakthrough came in the sixth inning with a two-out rally that included singles and an error by Portland State, resulting in five runs that shifted momentum. Despite Benson leading off the seventh with her second hit of the day, Portland State was unable to mount a comeback as Santa Clara closed out the win.
The Vikings finished with four hits compared to seven for Santa Clara. Nakoa-Chung took her sixth loss of the season from inside the circle. Looking ahead, Portland State will begin conference play at Montana on March 28 and March 29.
