South-bound, and down

The Portland State softball team heads south again today. The Vikings pack their bags for the UCLA-hosted Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament after last weekend’s trip to Arizona that saw Portland State go 2–4 at the season-opening Kajikawa Classic.

This weekend, Portland State will face Cal State Northridge, Cal Poly, UC Davis and UCLA.
 
What to watch for

It is imperative this weekend for the Portland State bats to awaken from the slumber they seemingly fell into at the Kajikawa Classic. The Vikings will need to post a mark higher than the .405 on-base-plus-slugging percentage they batted at last weekend’s tournament if they want to take advantage of their top-billed pitching staff.

Portland State introduced six new names to the lineup this year, and freshman left fielder Sadie Lopez currently leads the team with a .308 batting average in thirteen at bats. 

Despite the offensive shortfalls, PSU’s pitching rotation has already performed admirably. The Pacific Coast Softball Conference selected senior Tori Rogers as the Mountain Division’s Pitcher of the Week for her performance at the Kajikawa Classic.

Rogers struck out 10 batters, held her opponents to a .167 batting average and allowed no earned runs in 13 2/3 innings pitched. Freshman pitcher Anna Bertrand also impressed, striking out 17 batters in 14 2/3 innings.

A look at the opposition

PSU has a quick opportunity to rebound, as the Viks open the weekend against Cal State Northridge (1–5), who fell to Oregon 3–2 in extra innings at the Kajikawa .

Cal Poly has yet to play a game this season, and was selected in a preseason poll to win the Big West Conference. The Mustangs went 41–12 last season, and return four starters and nine letter winners from a club that posted program-record-breaking winning percentages in both conference and non-conference play. 

UC Davis (5–2) has ridden the hot pitching of junior Alex Holmes to two straight wins. Holmes pitched 10 1/3 combined innings in a day-night double header, in which she allowed only three runs. 

Portland State will play tournament hosts UCLA (3–1) for the fifth time in club history, but this will be the first time that the two teams have squared off against each other at UCLA’s Easton stadium. The four previous games all occurred at neutral sites. UCLA is ranked seventh in the nation and has won 11 national titles. 
 

Tournament schedule

Today
11 a.m.    Portland State    vs.    Cal State Northridge
1:30 p.m.    Portland State    vs.    Cal Poly

Tomorrow
11 a.m.    Portland State    vs.    UC Davis
1:30 pm.     Portland State    vs.    Cal Poly

Sunday
10 a.m.     Portland State    vs.    Cal State Northridge
12:30 p.m.     Portland State    at    No. 7 UCLA