The Vikings softball team fought for a win this weekend in Eugene, but in the end lost to the Brigham Young University Cougars 2-0. The softball season is officially over for the Vikings, leaving their overall record at 28-25.
The Vikings began the Eugene Regionals on Thursday night with a loss of 7-3 to the University of Oregon. However, the team returned hopeful on Friday to Howe Field, where pitcher Anna Bertrand threw a complete game shutout, leading the team to a 2-0 win over Mississippi State. This was Bertrand’s 10th shutout of the season.
The Cougars weren’t as easy to beat on Saturday though. The Vikings started the game by getting three runners on base, but they couldn’t manage to get any home. The Cougars took an early lead in the game when they scored in the first inning.
The second, third, and fourth innings were dry for both teams, but the Cougars scored again in the fifth inning. The Vikings didn’t get a single run the whole game. Bertrand tried to hold her ground and managed to strike out four batters, but in the end the Cougars won.
It was a hard loss, but the Vikings should be proud of this season. Earlier this month they became the two-time Pacific Coast Softball Conference champions when they beat St. Mary’s twice, and head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk described Bertrand as being the team’s “rock all season.” Though they aren’t bringing home a win, the statement definitely still stands true.
Bertrand struck out 229 batters this season—the second best in Portland State’s softball history—and played 26 complete games. If she does the same next season, maybe the Vikings can bring home a final victory.