May 13, 2011

CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball team's season came to an end Friday with a loss to UT Martin in an elimination game at the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

SIUE finished the season with a 28-30 record after falling 2-0 to the third-seeded Skyhawks, now 33-23.

Three runs separated the Cougars and their two opponents during the OVC Tournament. The initial run through the league's postseason tournament ended up with several close calls and not enough clutch hits.

"That's the breaks of the game," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "That's the difference in winning and losing in a tournament."

Erika Taylor went the distance and struck out five in her final appearance in a Cougar uniform. Taylor finished the season with 272 strikeouts, which is the second most in a season all-time. Taylor completed her career with a school-record 737 strikeouts.

"Erika pitched well enough to win," Montgomery said." We just didn't get the timely hits."

The only scoring in the game came in the top of the fifth as UTM's Megan Latimer opened the inning with a singled down the left field line. After a sacrifice moved Latimer to second, there would be runners at the corners as Leah Taylor struck out but was able to reach first on a passed ball.

Chelsea Cary would drive in the first run on a fielder's choice. Amanda Brandenburg collected the other RBI on a sacrifice fly.

UTM pitcher Chelsea Jones earned her 15th victory of the season as she allowed four hits and struck out five.

SIUE stranded seven base runners in seven innings, including three in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Montgomery reflected after the game and noted how making the OVC Tournament in the program's first year of eligibility was a step in the right direction.

"I don't want to take anything away from how hard my kids worked because they worked real hard this year for me. They're very good people and represent our program well," she said.

-siue cougars-