Softball opens conference play this weekend

After fighting through a challenging preseason schedule, Portland State begins conference play versus Santa Clara with a pair of home double-headers at Erv Lind Stadium this weekend.

Portland State currently hold a 14-12 overall record and has won both of its home matchups this season. Luckily for the Vikings, they open the Pacific Coast Softball Conference schedule with Santa Clara, which finished in last place a year ago.

Another bit of good fortune for Portland State is that junior centerfielder Jackie Heide has been swinging a sizzling hot bat as of late. Heide is coming off a PCSC Player of the Week award, her second of the short season, after going five for seven with a homerun against Seattle last weekend.

An all-around performer, Heide leads Portland State in batting average (.421), slugging percentage (.776), RBIs (23), hits (32) and on-base percentage (.488).

Heide also leads the team with eight homeruns thus far, however, senior first basemen Jana Rae Slayton and sophomore infielder Arielle Wiser have also provided some power for the Vikings. Slayton has four homers and Wiser has added a pair of big flies.

Inside the circle for the Vikings, sophomore right-hander Nicole Latham has received most of the work. Latham is excelling in her second season at Portland State, posting team-leading marks in wins (nine), strikeouts (80) and ERA (3.00).

Portland State should watch out for Santa Clara slugger Noelani Ho’opi’I, who has hit four homeruns and accumulated 20 RBIs this season.

When: Saturday, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Where: Erv Lind Stadium

When: Sunday, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Where: Erv Lind Stadium