Softball in full swing

Though we usually associate spring with the time when baseball and softball players lace up the cleats and knock the dust off the gloves and bats, the Portland State softball team already has five games under their belt and it’s still just the middle of February.

The Vikings kicked off their season last weekend with the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although the team only managed to grab one victory out of six games, they did so with an impressive 2-0 shutout behind junior pitcher Mandy Hill over #15 rated Nebraska.

The following day, however, Hill did not have the same luck in the tournament’s championship game against DePaul. Surrendering four runs early, the Vikings never regrouped, falling to the Blue Demons 6-1.

“We can expect Mandy [Hill] to just step up and do what she’s capable of doing very soon,” said Portland State head coach Amy Hayes.

The games, except for last Saturday’s shutout, were especially difficult for Viking pitchers. Hill, a 5-foot-9 right-hander, returned home with a 1-4 record after receiving the brunt of the innings workload, going the distance in five of the team’s six games. In the only game not started by Hill, Portland State pitching got knocked all over the yard as three pitchers combined to surrender 17 runs against Hawaii in just five innings, 11 of which were earned.

Obviously, if Portland State wants to return to the NCAA regional playoffs, another pitcher will have to emerge behind Hill. While Hill is a workhorse and the ace of the staff, if she has to pitch almost every inning this season, her arm might be hanging by a thread when the regional tournament arrives.

Vikings junior shortstop Stephanie Bean was chosen to the all-tournament team and she led the Vikings with four hits in the tournament. Freshman backstop Brandi Scoggins also had a good series, recording three hits and leading the team with two RBIs. She also currently leads the team with a .231 batting average.

“Brandi Scoggins had a really good first tournament,” said Hayes. “She hit well at the plate and just had a really good confidence about her. I think she’s going to have a good showing for us.”

Portland State’s big addition during the off-season, freshman outfielder Janice Damo, did not see action in the tournament. Hayes, however, still believes the rookie will contribute.

“Once she finally gets on the field, I think we can expect good things from her,” said Hayes.

Portland State resumes play Friday, Feb. 16 when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. With four more tournaments to play after that, Portland State will finally open its conference schedule April 6 against Sacramento State in a four-game set.

Sacramento State currently holds a narrow edge over Portland State in the preseason coach’s poll, despite the fact that the Vikings finished first in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference last season. Sacramento State grabbed four first place votes, with the Vikings receiving the other two.

“I think Portland State will have to go out and prove itself. I think that Sac State has a very good team. They have a very good, young pitcher they missed last year. I have a lot of respect for that team down there and what they’re doing,” said Hayes.

Sacramento State and Portland State should make this conference a two-team race. If Portland State wants to repeat as conference champs, it could heavily rely on how they fare in head-to-head matches with Sacramento State this season. The next closest team, although considered long shots according to the preseason poll, figures to be Loyola Marymount, who is off to a fast 5-2 record.