TROY, Ala. – Tremayne Cobb's line drive to center scored Shane Lewis in the 10th inning and Troy edged SIUE 9-8 on opening day.
"We put ourselves in the position that we wanted with a lead late in the game," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "It just didn't work out.
Lucas Spence (0-1) suffered the loss for the Cougars. He worked a full inning and allowed a pair of runs. Lewis hit a popup which fell just inside the right field line for a triple to start the 10th.
"We didn't play clean enough the rest of the day to win," Lyons added. "To beat a quality team you have to play a cleaner game."
SIUE built an 8-4 lead through six innings, scoring eight runs on 12 hits. The Cougars trailed 4-2 before scoring four runs in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth.
Kyle Ratliff hit a two-run home run in the inning-his second of the game. He finished with three RBIs.
"I'm excited by what I saw out of our offense," Lyons said. "Kyle Ratliff gave us two big swings."
Lucas Spence added two RBIs and Chase Bloomer and Ryan Niedzwiedz each drove home a run.
Blake Sutton hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to bring Troy within two at 8-6. The Trojans scored a run in the eighth. Troy used two hits and benefited from two walks in the ninth to add a run and force extra innings.
"We didn't do some of the little things and then Troy got the momentum going late and they got some confidence," Lyons said.
Tyler DeLong started for the Cougars and allowed two runs in three innings. He struck out two but walked five.
"Tyler gutted through three innings and got out of some jams," Lyons said. "He got himself into some of the jams with walks which runs the pitch count up. That's not indicative of him, but it's the first time out. "
Jacob Kampf worked 3.1 innings and allowed four runs and surrendered the home runs to Sutton in the seventh.
"Kampf did a nice job," Lyons said. "He made a mistake and (Sutton) hit a changeup out. To get 3.1 innings from Jacob was a big pick-me-up."
Duncan McLaughlin worked 1.2 innings and struck out four.
"Duncan McLaughlin showed the ability to get some big outs," Lyons said.
The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch of game one is schedule for 11 a.m.
