The Portland State softball team split a doubleheader with Santa Clara on March 22, opening their three-game series at Hillsboro Ballpark. The Vikings lost the first game in extra innings, 5-2, but came back to win the second game, 4-1.
The series opener was part of Teri Mariani Day, honoring former Portland State head coach Teri Mariani. Mariani is recognized as the winningest coach in Portland State athletics history and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before play began.
In game one, the Vikings trailed after Santa Clara scored twice in the third inning. Portland State tied it up when Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung drew an RBI walk and Mia Martinez hit a sacrifice fly. The score remained even until extra innings when Santa Clara scored three runs in the eighth inning to secure a win. Giselle Pantoja took the loss for Portland State despite holding Santa Clara scoreless for four innings after entering in relief.
The Vikings responded strongly in game two behind pitcher Gracie Walters’ complete-game performance. They took an early lead with two runs in the first inning and added another run on an RBI single from Breanna Lutz in the second. Lutz also hit an RBI triple later to help seal a 4-1 victory for her team. Walters improved her season record to 3-5 with her fifth complete game.
Grace Johnson contributed three stolen bases during Sunday’s games, bringing her season total to 14 and tying Portland State’s Division I era career record of 48 steals.
Portland State and Santa Clara are scheduled to play again on Monday, March 23, at Hillsboro Ballpark.
