SIUE softball claimed a two-game sweep over Southern Indiana today in the Great Lakes Valley Conference openers for both teams. SIUE took game one 6-1 and game two 3-2.
         SIUE got things started quickly in the first inning of game-one. The top-three batters in the lineup each banged out singles, including Jenny Esker's RBI single scoring Katie Waldo. Missy Koenig added a two-run double later in the inning, scoring Holly Neuerburg and Esker, to make it 3-0.
         VJ Schmidt homered to center in the fourth and Alicia DeShasier and Melissa Lindgren each added RBIs in the sixth to round out the Cougars' scoring.
         Meanwhile, RyAnn Spann was solid on the mound for SIUE. She carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing two singles. Rachel Bowling gave USI its only run of the game on a homerun down the left field line in the seventh.
         Spann allowed one run on four hits and struck out eight in the victory.
         Game two was scoreless until the fifth inning when Koree Claxton's two-run single plated Shannon Waldo and Lindgren. Schmidt then doubled, scoring Claxton, in what would eventually become the game winner.
         USI scored once in the sixth and again in the seventh but squandered the bases loaded in both innings.
         Missy Koenig earned the victory after allowing two runs in six innings.
         Spann relieved Koenig in the seventh inning to pick up the save.
         SIUE improves its record to 13-5 overall and 2-0 in the GLVC. Southern Indiana falls to 4-9 and 0-2 in the conference.
         SIUE will be back in action Sunday when it plays host to a noon doubleheader against GLVC foe Kentucky Wesleyan.