Softball preview

What: St. Mary’s (19-19, 5-3 PCSC) at Portland State (22-20, 5-3 PCSC) Where: Erv Lind Stadium in Portland, Ore. When: Two doubleheaders, one starting noon Saturday and one at noon SundayOn the air: www.goviks.com (audio)

Key players:

St. Mary’sJenna Smith: .302, 11 HR, 31 RBI, 10 BB, .986 OPSMegan Galloway: 10-10, 2.62 ERA, 64K, 52 BB, .228 BAA

Portland StateMandy Hill: 12-13, 3.24 ERA, 113 K, 51 BB, .265 BAAJana Rae Slayton: .354, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 14 BB, .898 OPS

Stars: Senior Molly Bergeson and sophomore Jenna Smith led the way for the Gaels. Bergeson has a team-high .385 batting average and has stolen 15 bases in 18 chances, and is 4-4 as one of St. Mary’s three regular pitchers. Smith is the offensive star, batting .302 while swatting 11 homers to go with 32 RBIs. First baseman Jana Rae Slayton leads the Vikings with a .354 batting average, while Mandy Hill is the team leader in homers (4) and RBIs (31).

Just a taste: After faltering in Sacramento last weekend, the Vikings must take care of business against the Gaels, who they are currently locked in second place in the conference with. The Gaels won’t overpower the Vikings, but Portland State must get its offense back on track after scoring just two total runs in a doubleheader against Oregon Wednesday. With both teams at 5-3, anything less than a split will most likely deny the losing team a chance at the PCSC championship, and with it, a berth in the NCAA Tournament.