EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – It was a back-and-forth affair in game one as the Tennessee Tech softball put together an offensive surge, but SIUE battled back to take the series opener 8-7. The Cougars then took game two 5-2.

 

The Golden Eagles (7-17, 1-4 Ohio Valley Conference) conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

 

After falling behind 2-0, Tech pulled together six runs in the top of the third, then a single run in the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. The Cougars answered with a six-run inning of their own in the sixth to retake the lead, then held on for the win.

 

Abby Shoulders, Jailynn Paderez and Ella Bishop each drove in two runs in the game, while Abbee Klinefelter, Paderez, Bishop and Alina Schlageter each had two hits.

 

The Golden Eagles tagged SIUE pitcher Emma Henderson for five runs on six hits over 2 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out two. Kiana Villa collected the victory – her fourth of the year – as she allowed just two runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout over the final 4 1/3 innings.

 

Emily York was tagged with the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits while walking and striking out three. Payton Wagner threw the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.

 

After SIUE scored two on Henderson's home run in the bottom of the first, Tech answered with six runs in the third as Paderez singled in Klinefelter, Bishop hit a two-run double to left field, then Schlageter traded places with her with a double to left center. Shoulders closed out the scoring with a single through the left side to bring Schlageter and Skylar Sybesma home.

 

In the fourth, Paderez picked up another RBI as she drove in Sydney Kirby with a single to center field to make it a 7-2 game. SIUE answered in the bottom half with six runs, including a three-run double to right center for Lauren Yslava.

 

As the second game started, Kirby knocked a double into right center to bring home Shoulders in the top of the first. The Cougars plated two runs on an RBI double and single, then Tech tied the game in the top of the third as Oliva Evans hit a grounder to third base, but the throwing error allowed Evans to reach and Sybesma to score, tying the game.

 

SIUE scored two runs in the fifth on a double and a sacrifice fly, then added an insurance run on a bunt single that led into a rundown with the lead runner crossing the plate during the chaos.

 

Lainey Fitzgerald took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits across four frames, walking three and striking out five. Hannah Lange worked the final two innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts.

 

Avery Arwood picked up her fifth win of the season as she went this distance, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits, walking one and striking out six.

 

Bishop had two of Tech's hits in the game.