EUGENE, Ore. – The North Dakota State softball team opened up the Oregon/Oregon State Invite with a pair of losses at Jane Sanders Stadium on the campus of the University of Oregon, falling to Portland State in nine innings 2-0, before dropping game two to No. 24 Oregon State 11-4.
 
The Bison (12-8) couldn't get the offense rolling in game one against the Vikings (12-7), as they were held scoreless over nine innings, being shutout for the first time all season with just five hits.
 
In the circle, Paige Vargas was dominant, as she scattered four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Vargas would allow just two unearned runs in the loss.
 
After the Vikings got a runner to second in the top of the first with a sac bunt, neither team would get a runner past first until extra innings.
 
In the ninth inning, Portland State played a sacrifice bunt to move the placed runner to third, but a throwing error allowed the first run of the game to score and the batter to reach second. Two batters later, a second run scored on a sacrifice bunt for the second run.
 
In game two, Oregon State (20-3) started strong, plating eight runs in the first two innings to take a commanding lead early over the Bison (12-9). The Beavers scored three in the first and capitalized on two errors to score five in the second.
 
After the Beavers added another run in the fourth, the Bison answered with three runs. Emilee Buringa broke up a perfect game with a single to lead off the inning. With two outs, Carley Goetschius singled to put two runners on before Reanna Rudd hit an RBI single down the right field line to score Buringa. Chloe Woldruff then hit a two RBI double to left, to score Goetschius and pinch runner Aba Turner.
 
Oregon State would add another run in the fifth and then again in the sixth to go up 11-3, but North Dakota State responded to keep the game alive with Rudd hitting another RBI single to score Dez Cardenas from second.
 
However, the Bison wouldn't be able to generate any more offense in the game. The loss is the first for the Bison this season by more than two runs.
 
Mac Schulz picked up the loss, allowing 10 runs, eight earned, in four innings. She finished with two strikeouts. Savy Williams pitched three innings in relief, allowing just one run with two strikeouts.
 
The Bison will wrap up the Eugene portion of the trip with a doubleheader against No. 11/14 Oregon on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CT/10 a.m. PT at Jane Sanders Stadium.