EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE softball improved to 5-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday with a sweep over Tennessee Tech at Cougar Field.
SIUE won the opener 8-7 and the nightcap 5-2. The Cougars improved to 14-10 overall. The Golden Eagles dropped to 7-17 overall and 1-4 in the OVC.
The Cougars took game one with a come-from-behind victory.
Emma Henderson put the Cougars on the scoreboard in the first inning with her team-leading sixth home run of the season, a two-run homer just over the fence on the left field line.
After Tennessee Tech grabbed a 7-2 lead behind a six-run third inning and a single tally in the fourth, the Cougars stormed back in the bottom of the fourth inning with a six-run rally of their own.
Kaylin Fahy ripped a bases-loaded single that brought home Piper Montgomery. Lauryn Yslava belted a gapper to right center that cleared the bases for three RBIs. Emma Henderson later would add her down double, a shot down the left field line that scored Yslava and Kaylynn Salyars.
Kiana Villa earned the win with 4 1/3 innings of relief. She is now 4-0 for the season.
In game two, Avery Arwood earned her fifth win of the season by going the distance. She fanned six and walked one over seven innings.
Tennessee Tech struck first in the game with an RBI double by Sydney Kirby in the first inning.
The Cougars tied the game and took the lead in the second inning. Juztyne Torres doubled and moved to third on the throw home as Raegan Duncan scored. Danielle Shuey then put the Cougars ahead with an RBI single to left that plated Torres.
The Golden Eagles evened up the game in the third behind two SIUE infield errors.
SIUE thought it was ahead in the fourth on a double steal attempt. Shuey was called safe at second as Duncan crossed home plate. However, a video review reversed the safe call and the Golden Eagles kept the game tied 2-2.
Salyars provided the eventual game-winning RBI in the fifth as she doubled home Yslava. Emma Henderson added a sacrifice fly that put the Cougars up 4-2.
SIUE added one more run in the sixth. After Fahy reached base on a bunt single, she was directed to turn left and head to second by SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. Duncan, who started the play at second base, turned the corner at third and scored as Tennessee Tech was attempting to get Fahy out at second.
The two teams have one more game left in the series. SIUE and Tennessee Tech meet Sunday for a single game starting at noon at Cougar Field.
