Vikings drop two at home

Erv Lind Stadium had been somewhat of a safe haven for Portland State this season, as the Vikings won 10 of their first 11 games within the confines of their home ballpark.

However, Portland State (23-22) has slipped up at home as of late, dropping its final three home games, which included a doubleheader against Oregon (15-26) Wednesday afternoon.

The Vikings had trouble finding the ball in the first game of the twin bill, as Ducks freshman right-hander Sam Skillingstad (11-10) allowed a mere three hits in the 3-1 Oregon victory.

With Skillingstad pitching a five-strikeout complete game, the Ducks offense was free to take liberties at the plate, and the Oregon batters did just that. Free-swinging senior Sari-Jane Jenkins set the tone early with a leadoff homerun, and the Ducks added a run in both the third and fifth innings.

The lone Portland State run came on a homerun from junior Brandi Scoggins. Despite the three runs, junior right-hander Tori Rodgers (8-5) finished with eight strikeouts on five hits in the complete-game effort. Two errors also hurt the Vikings.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Ducks once again struck early, this time behind a first-inning homerun by junior Neena Bryant. Another run crossed home plate in the opening inning to give the Ducks a 2-0 lead.

After Portland State fought back with a pair of runs in the second inning to tie the game 2-2, Oregon reclaimed the lead an inning later behind a two-run single from freshman Lindsey Chambers.

The Vikings would add another run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from senior Kristin Wilson, who had batted in another run in the second inning.

Portland State was held scoreless for the final three innings, as sophomore Brittany Rumfelt appeared in relief to pitch a perfect three and two-thirds innings to close out the game.

Junior right-hander Carrie O’Neil pitched the first three innings for the Vikings and allowed four runs, before making way for freshman Kendra Suhr, who gave up only three hits in the final four innings.

Atop the conference standings, the Vikings will hit the road for a four-game series with Pacific Coast Softball Conference foe Saint Mary’s this weekend.