Defending the crown

The Portland State softball team will encounter its first conference test as the reigning Pacific Coast Softball Conference champions as they take on Sacramento State in a four-game series on Friday and Saturday at Erv Lind Stadium.

Although Portland State has yet to taste conference play this season, they are already staring at a must-win situation. Sacramento State was picked as the preseason favorite to dethrone the reigning PCSC champions by the conference’s coaches. While the Vikings were still selected second in the poll, it sends the message that this season will be an uphill battle for a team with aspirations to repeat.

“I definitely think Sacramento State being selected to win the conference should be a motivator for us. People should be gunning for us, but we need to do what we do and come out on top,” head coach Amy Hayes said. “I think every game is absolutely crucial in this conference. It has to be our objective to go out there and sweep every time.”

After claiming two of three contests against Northern Colorado last weekend, it appears Portland State has finally placed a rocky start in the rearview mirror and is beginning to reclaim its championship form of last year.

“We have had some ruts this season and things did not start out as well as last season. But now we are really stating to pull together as a team,” said Stephanie Bean, who was awarded PCSC Player of the Week after her performance versus the Bears. “We have had a lot to overcome this season, but I think we’re beginning to come together.”

Bean, who went 5/9 at the plate with four runs scored and five steals, enjoyed a spectacular series against Northern Colorado. The junior outfielder was the third consecutive Viking to win the award, as junior right-hander Mandy Hill and freshman catcher Brandi Scoggins were honored for their spectacular performances in the past couple weeks. The Vikings are beginning to heat up in all facets of the game, improving their play behind the plate, at the dish and on the mound just as conference begins.

“You are always trying to find that right match during preseason as far as who’s playing and getting into the groove of things. This year it took us a little while to come around at the plate and we didn’t have the strength in our pitching staff. I just think everyone is hitting full cylinder at the same time, and that is exactly what we want at this time in our season,” Hayes said.

A quick offensive flurry will provide the Vikings with the best chance to dominate the Hornets. After 34 games this season, Portland State is 12-3 when scoring the first run of the game and 10-0 when leading after four innings. The Vikings’ bats need to come alive in the early stages if they wish to return Sacramento State’s sweep down the stretch last season.

The Vikings must also maintain their recent success on the mound, especially with the addition of freshman right-hander Janice Damo to the starting pitching staff. Damo provides some relief for the often-overworked Hill, who has already logged 178 innings on the mound this season.

“To win this weekend, we are going to have to stay within ourselves at the plate. I really think the players are starting to feel their rhythm,” Hayes said. “Another key will be having Janice Damo on the mound. She will help give more depth to our pitching staff and take some innings off Mandy [Hill]. It’s also going to be really important for us to have good, solid defense, and just get the ball in play and make things happen.”

As the Vikings have caught a current wave of success, the Hornets have done just the opposite, falling victim to the competition in three straight games and five of their last six. But Hayes understands Sacramento State is still a formidable opponent that presents the Vikings with unique challenges.

“I think Sacramento State brings speed and power to the middle of their lineup. So it is going to be fairly important to keep the girls who are ahead of those hitters in the middle of base. They are also a gutsy team. When we played them last year they were feisty, they wanted to win and let us know that was their goal. We just hope to play our game and come away with a sweep.”