By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – After the Tennessee Tech softball squared things in the fifth inning, SIUE scored two runs in the home half of the frame, proving to be the difference in Sunday's series finale as the Cougars won 3-1.
Tech (5-40, 1-17 Ohio Valley Conference) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Tennessee State in its final home series of the season. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.
The Cougars held the Golden Eagles to four total hits in the contest as Kelsey Ray threw four scoreless frames, striking out four and walking three as she walked two. She was lifted for Sydney Baalman, who became the pitcher of record as Tech tied the game in the fifth. Baalman allowed one run on two hits as she walked one and struck out another with her Cougar teammates lifting her to the victory, her 10th of the season.
Kaylan Cole was looking for her third win of the week and threw five frames in the contest. SIUE ended up tagging her for three runs on nine hits as she walked two and struck out one. Gracelyn Woollen pitched the sixth inning, allowing one hit and one walk.
Abby Shoulders, Ella Bishop, Haeli Bryson and Carmen Betts collected the Tech hits in the contest and Bryson drove in Tristen Head for the Golden Eagles' lone run in the fifth with a single to center field.
Grace Lueke drove in SIUE's first run in the third inning with a single, but was thrown out on a 7-6-4 connection to second trying to stretch the play to a double. The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Emma Neuman hit a two-run double to left field.
Paige Rocha went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Neuman was 2-for-4. Lexi King came home to score twice.
