PORTLAND, Ore. ? Inevitably the question gets asked. Are Portland State softball players Jenna Wilson and Kristin Wilson sisters?

With one quick glance at the Vikings roster, one might assume they are, being that the pair are separated by just one number numerically (Jenna wears #10, Kristin #11) and that they're both seniors. But, take a look at their hometowns and you'll see that they come from two different states. And, there happens to be the fact that Jenna is blonde and bats left handed, and Kristin has dark hair and bats right handed.

The differences end about there, though. The two players who both transferred to the Park Blocks after two seasons of playing at the community college level, have been major catalysts in the Vikings run to the NCAA Tournament this year.

Kristin has started this season at three different positions (catcher, designated player and the past 14 games in left field) on her way to earning first team All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference honors. Jenna has started all 53 games for the Viks, including 52 in right field, and was recently picked as a second team all-conference player for the second year in a row.

The two graduated from high school in 2005 and chose to go the community college route to extend their playing careers. Jenna, who hails from nearby Tualatin High School, stayed local and hit .413 in her two seasons at Mt. Hood Community College. A native of Clarkston, Wash., Kristin spent two years at Walla Walla Community College where she was named the 2007 National Junior College Diamond Catcher of the Year after hitting .474.

Unlike junior college baseball where many players transfer up and enjoy success at the NCAA Division I level, JUCO softball players rarely even move on to DI schools. For both Wilson's, they knew they had the talent to succeed at the highest level of collegiate softball and they didn't want to stop playing.

But after seeing success as junior college players, both struggled at times last year with the adjustment to the competition level. Ultimately, though, they knew they had what it took to succeed playing for the VIkings.

Said Kristin: “It was extremely challenging for me. It was a constant struggle last year. When you're used to hitting well and then all of a sudden you're not and you don't know why it becomes very frustrating.”

Jenna Wilson echoed Kristin's thoughts, and both players credited then-assistant coach Tobin Echo-Hawk with helping their game improve.

“It was very tough at first,” said Jenna. “I went in for extra hitting with Coach E. She helped me so much last year with staying focused and under control.”

The pair spent plenty of extra time in the batting cages with Echo-Hawk, who has since been promoted to head coach. The extra swings have paid off this season as they helped PSU capture the school's second-ever PCSC title and hit .290 as a team.

“They have definitely been a big part of our success this season,” said Echo-Hawk, the 2009 PCSC Coach of the Year. “It took both of them some time to adjust to this level of play, but they knew that if they put in the work they would come out on top.”

Besides the difference in the level of competition, the two also had to adjust to a more structured environment and the time demands of being a Division I student-athlete.

“At the DI level softball is like a full time job that you have to put many hours into whether it is on the field or off,” said Kristin. “We have intense workouts and practices all year long, and we go to school everyday. It's very demanding but extremely worth it. At the CC level it is a little more laid back.”

For Jenna Wilson, the transition was mentally challenging at first. “The biggest adjustment for me was in my head. I felt very overwhelmed at first, but once I was settled in, things just fell into place.”

When the two arrived at PSU in the fall of 2007, they quickly learned to rely on each other when they realized they both were transfers.

“I think as transfers we looked to each other for support and to help ease into the transition,” Kristin said.

After both had somewhat difficult seasons offensively last year, the Wilson's have provided steady bats in the middle of the Vikings lineup in 2009. Both have started all 53 games, with Jenna usually batting sixth and Kristin normally in the seven hole. 

Each hit just three doubles last season, but this year has been a different story. Jenna hit 13 to rank third in the PCSC, while Kristin hit 10 to rank fifth. And, they have combined to drive in 44 runs this season after driving in just 19 last year.

Both players raised their averages this year as well. Jenna hit .283, while Kristin closed the season on a tear, going 8-for-12 in four games at Loyola Marymount to finish the regular season with a .267 batting average. And they stepped up their game when it mattered most as Jenna hit .364 in PCSC play and Kristin hit .351.

“There's no question that their bats have been huge for us,” said Echo-Hawk. “We probably don't win the PCSC without them having the seasons that they did in conference action.”

After the season is over both players plan to finish up their classwork to get their degrees. Jenna will graduate this summer with a B.S. in Social Science, while Kristin will walk in the fall with a health sciences degree.

From there, both Wilson's plan on going to grad school. Jenna wants to study to become an eighth-grade teacher and Kristin wants to go to nursing school to become a pediatric nurse.

Despite the different career paths they have planned out, both say they want to stay involved with the game as coaches.

The duo will leave with plenty of fond memories of their time as Vikings, and both say that winning the PCSC and advancing to the NCAA Tournament ranks right up at the top.

Said Jenna Wilson, “Probably one of the best feelings ever!”

While their time at Portland State was relatively short, the Wilson's have helped the Vikings reach the pinnacle of college softball, and they get at least another week together with their teammates. PSU takes on No. 8 national seed Stanford this Friday at 6:00 p.m. in the Palo Alto, Calif. Regional.

“To win the PCSC as a senior is a great feeling,” Kristin Wilson said. “And it's awesome to be able to end my softball career with a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.”