BOCA RATON, Fla. – The SIUE softball team closed out the FAU Tournament early Sunday with a 4-1 victory over Purdue, dismissing the Big Ten team for a second straight day.

Sydney Baalman went the distance for the Cougars, allowing three hits and fanning three batters.

"It was exactly what we needed, and she was fantastic," said SIUE Interim Head Coach P.J. Finigan. "The three hits she gave up were not hit hard. They just found the right places."

Finigan said the Cougar defense was strong behind Baalman as she found the right rhythm against the Boilermakers, which scored their only run in the first inning.

SIUE, 6-9 overall, took over offensively in the second inning with a three-run rally. Jenna Herron started the rally with a single. She would later score on a two-out single by Lexi King. Katie Smith and King would score on another two-out single by Grace Lueke.

"They were ready," Finigan said of the Cougar offense. "I think how the game ended yesterday had a bit to do with that. They were pretty fired up today. Offensively up and down the lineup, there were a lot of competitive at bats."

SIUE added an insurance run in the fifth inning, taking advantage of one of Purdue's two infield errors. Aerin Talley, who had a two-out single up the middle, would eventually score on an infield error off the bat of King.

With the loss, Purdue dropped to 8-13.

The Cougars finished with nine hits Sunday and completed the FAU Tournament with a 3-2 record. SIUE meets tournament host Florida Atlantic in a single game Tuesday outside of the tournament atmosphere.

"We're starting to come together and grow as a group," said Finigan.