"Our bats were quiet and the Portland State defense played very well," said head coach Dan Powers. "Richelle (Ashburn) threw a great game two, but our offense was not there to provide the run support."
As the designated home team, as per conference rules, Portland State quickly jumped out with a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Their early runs were bolstered by solid pitching from starting pitcher Nichole Latham, who kept SU scoreless in her 3.0 innings of work.
The Vikings maintained control of the game, adding five runs in the second and two additional runs in the fourth.
SU managed to scatter three hits in the game, but was unsuccessful in getting runners past second base.
In the final game of the series, pitcher Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) threw a solid game in the circle. She allowed four hits in 25 batters faced, throwing a strikeout and allowing only one earned run.
Despite Ashburn's solid play, the Redhawk bats remained quiet for much of the game.
In the second inning, Crysta Conn would reach on a SU fielding error and would advance on an additional error on the play. She would eventually be sent home in the inning to get the Vikings on the board and prove to be the difference maker in the contest.
PSU added to their one-run lead in the fourth, behind a Karmen Holladay RBI single to center field.
The Redhawks had their best chance of the day to get on the board in the top of the sixth. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) took a one out walk to get things going. Two batters later, Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) reached on a Portland State error to advance Wilde to second. Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) loaded the bases with her two out walk, but Seattle U was unable to bring home a runner as Theresa Clark (Lakewood, Colo.) concluded the inning with a fly out to left field.
The Redhawks (9-20 overall, 5-7 PCSC) will conclude the 2011 season on the road, beginning with a four-game series from Apr. 30 to May 1, at Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho.