Sacramento State softball watched its four-run lead disappear in Saturday’s game as Portland State came back to win in extra innings, 6-5. 

Sophomore pitcher Caitlin Brooks went four innings strong before allowing three runs in the fifth inning that gave her an early exit in the game. Taylor Stroud came in to replace her. 

“We thought about taking out Brooks before the double that tied the game, but we didn’t expect that the Vikings would empty the base paths with one swing of the bat,” said softball head coach Kathy Strahan. 

After scoring a run in the first and fourth innings, the Vikings scored three more off Brooks with a three-run double by freshman Lauran Bliss. However, when Stroud came in she forced the next three batters into outs. 

“I noticed (Portland State pitcher Anna) Bertrand was making adjustments on our batters and so was Portland State’s offense,” Strahan said. 

Stroud pitched well in relief, giving a chance to win the game for the second straight day, but the offense came up short again, failing to put any base runners on base until the ninth inning. 

The Hornets’ big third inning started off with a double by sophomore first baseman Riley Price. Right after, Vikings third baseman Crysta Conn’s error scored the first run. 

The Hornets were able to keep the inning going after Carly McEachron forced her second error of the game, advancing both Kourtney Solis and Emily McCormick to second and third. 

“We talked about making adjustments to Bertrand’s curveball,” Strahan said. “So we told our batters to move in the box and crowd the plate in order to reach the ball.” 

Sophomore Paige Martin later scored McCormick on a single, moving up Solis to third and Solis later would score on a double steal, which gave the Hornets four run lead.

The Vikings could not put the bat on the ball against Stroud, until the bottom of the ninth inning when junior center fielder Becca Bliss hit her second solo home run of the game to center field, giving Portland State the walk-off win.  

“Taylor was fine after the game. She didn’t seem too down after giving up the walk-off home run,” Strahan said. “It was not Taylor’s fault. Our offense was not producing enough in order to help her out.”

Sac State will play its final home series this season against Idaho State. The first game is this Saturday at 1 p.m.

Clifton can be reached on Twitter at @jonesSHsports