February 6, 2009

SHREVEPORT, La. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville opened the 2009 season with a split at the Centenary Tournament, falling to host Centenary 4-2 and overpowering Bryant 14-0 in six innings.

SIUE has two more games Saturday at the tournament with Nicholls State at 11:30 a.m. followed by Boston College at 1:30 p.m.

The Cougars came out firing in game one, scoring a pair of runs off Centenary in the first inning. After giving up four in the second inning, SIUE was held scoreless the rest of the game.

"We need to capitalize on other teams' mistakes," said SIUE Coach Sandy Montgomery.

The Cougars picked up hits from Lauren Zembruski, Lindsey Longfellow and Chaleen Rumpf against Centenary. Hillary Phillips recorded the win in early relief for the Ladies. Kaitlin Colosimo, who struck out six, took the loss for the Cougars despite giving up only four hits.

SIUE bounced back in a big way in game two of the day, blasting Bryant for 14 runs on 14 hits.

Whitney Davis, starting her first game of the season at first base, collected three hits and drove home a pair of runs.

We were much more aggressive in the count. We attacked early and obviously good hitting is contagious," said Montgomery.

SIUE erupted for nine runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. The game was stopped after six innings due to the eight-run rule.

Erika Taylor picked up the win in five scoreless innings. She fanned 11 and gave up three hits. Katie Watkinson threw the scoreless sixth inning for SIUE.

"I was happy with the way Erika threw today," noted Montgomery. -siue-