After one of the toughest non-conference schedules in recent memory, the Viking softball team begins conference play this weekend in a four-game set against Northern Colorado at Erv Lind Stadium.
Portland State went 10–21 against the bulk of non-conference opponents, but has hung tough with some of the Pac-10’s elite in recent weeks despite heading into conference play on a six-game skid. Northern Colorado began the season 8–23.
“I think we’re just now hitting our stride and getting stronger and fixing the things we needed to fix during preseason,” said coach Tobin Echo-Hawk. “I think going into conference we’re feeling pretty confident.”
Heading into conference last season, PSU experienced increases in nearly every statistical category against PCSC competition. The Vikings increased their on-base plus slugging percentage last season from .724 to .850 and lowered their ERA from 3.94 to 2.09 against conference opponents. The increase in productivity led to the 15–5 run which catapulted PSU into the NCAA tournament.
“If we play our game and we’re consistent the way that we need to be, I think that it could be pretty close to repeating what we did last year,” Echo-Hawk said.
The Vikings would welcome a leap in production again this year, as the team has batted just .224 so far this season. Senior catcher Brandi Scoggins leads the team in batting average at .315, while senior Becca Diede and freshman Danielle Lynn have provided the bulk of Portland State’s power—slugging .437 and .477, respectively.
Freshman Anna Bertrand has led a pitching staff that has not disappointed pre-season expectations of being one of the top rotations in the PCSC. PSU’s 3.95 ERA is second only to Loyola Marymount, while PSU has a league-leading 169 strikeouts.
Despite a rocky start that saw her give up 14 runs in 4 2/3 innings, last season’s PCSC pitcher of the year junior Nichole Latham has turned her season around in recent weeks. Latham won PCSC player of the week honors for the week of March 23 after holding Boise State to one run in nine innings.
Northern Colorado, a newcomer this year to the PCSC, fields a team that hasn’t had as much trouble hitting the ball as PSU but has struggled to keep runs off the board. Erin Wilkinson and Melissa Ryba have powered the Grizzly lineup, hitting .344 and .340 respectively, knocking six home runs between the two.
Pitching, however, has been the problem for Northern Colorado in 2010 as the Grizzlies have limped to a team ERA of 7.93 in 191.2 innings pitched. The Grizzlies have had trouble keeping the ball in the park, giving up 37 home runs thus far, and have been unable to keep the bases clear, walking 152 against 102 strikeouts.
If the Vikings can get runners on base this weekend and register some timely hits, PSU should have no problem adding to the woes of the Northern Colorado pitching staff.
“They do have a pretty high ERA, but they also have a pretty good team batting average. They kind of balance themselves out as far as a team and we need to make sure that we balance ourselves out. In the past we’ve kind of been a defense-oriented team and we really need to pick it up on the offensive side of things,” Echo-Hawk said.
A play-by-play of each game can be heard on the Live Events section of www.goviks.com, where live stats will also be available.
Portland State (10–21) vs. Northern Colorado (8–23) ?
Sat, Noon
(Doubleheader)
Erv Lind Stadium ? ?
Portland State vs. Northern Colorado ?
Sun, 10 p.m.
(Doubleheader)
Erv Lind Stadium ?