EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Sam Easterley's grand slam capped a six-run first inning as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville cruised past Illinois-Springfield 8-0 and 9-1.
         SIUE, 24-8 overall and now ranked 14th in the nation in the latest NFCA/NCAA Division II Poll, won both games in five innings due to the eight-run rule.
         Alicia DeShasier, who led all hitters with four hits on the day, improved her season record to 10-4 as a pitcher with a one-hit shutout in the opener. Kayla Moss's short single to left field as the first hitter of the game was all the offense UIS, 5-28, could muster.
         SIUE's offense kicked into gear early and often.
         In the first inning, DeShasier doubled down the left field line followed by a single to left by Ashley Price. Libby Lenart drove home DeShasier with a single to left.
         After UIS pitcher Katie Kuschell walked V.J. Schmidt and Emily Lenart, Easterley unleashed her home run to left field. It was Easterley's third home run of the season and her first ever at Cougar Field.
         The Cougars scored two more in the fourth inning on RBIs from DeShasier and Emily Lenart.
         In the nightcap, SIUE rallied for six runs in the fourth inning. Ashley Price bunted home one run. Casey Wantland, Schmidt, and Kaeleight Rousey picked up RBIs in the inning. And the Cougars benefitted from a dropped fly ball with the bases loaded by UIS shortstop Katie McBride.
         SIUE next heads to the road for Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Cougars face Indianapolis at noon on Saturday and Saint Joseph's at noon on Sunday.
                  -siue cougars-