The Portland State softball team concluded its trip to Hawai’i with two wins in a doubleheader at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Saturday. The Vikings, who now hold a 6-9 record, overcame early deficits in both games to secure victories over Mercyhurst and Hawai’i.
In the first game against Mercyhurst, Portland State trailed 3-0 until Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung hit an RBI single in the third inning, bringing in Jolee Benson and narrowing the gap. The Vikings then had a strong fifth inning, scoring seven runs on nine hits to finish with a 10-3 win.
During the second game against Hawai’i, Benson gave Portland State an early lead with an RBI single in the first inning. Hawai’i responded by scoring in three consecutive innings to take a 3-1 lead. Mia Martinez tied the game for the Vikings with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. After Hawai’i regained the lead in the sixth, Martinez delivered again with a two-out, two-RBI double in the seventh inning that put Portland State ahead 5-4.
Freshman pitcher Giselle Pantoja completed her first collegiate complete game by allowing seven hits and striking out four batters over seven innings.
Portland State recorded eight hits against Hawai’i and achieved a season-high of 13 hits against Mercyhurst. Grace Johnson led Game one with four hits, marking a career high for her as senior leadoff hitter.
The Vikings will continue their season next week at the Blue Collar Classic in Boise, Idaho, where they are scheduled to play five games from March 5 to March 7.
