Oct. 2, 2010

NORMAL, Ill. - The SIUE softball team will play in the silver bracket of the Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship Sunday after splitting its two games Saturday.

SIUE defeated Northern Illinois 4-3 and the dropped a 2-1 decision to Illinois State.

SIUE Coach Sandy Montgomery said the Cougars played better in the second game despite the loss.

The Cougars needed a four-run seventh inning to push past Northern Illinois. SIUE used the squeeze play to score the eventual winning run.

Kasey Schlafke hit a solo home run in the Illinois State game to account for SIUE's offense. Lauren Kellar hit a two-run homer for the Redbirds in the fourth inning.

SIUE will play in the Silver Bracket of the tournament against UIC at 12:30 p.m. Based on that game, SIUE next faces Western Illinois or Lake Land at 3 p.m.

SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE:

Gold Bracket:
DePaul vs. Northwestern (10:00 AM)
Southern Illinois vs. Illinois State (12:30 PM)
Winning and Losing teams will play at 3:00 PM

Silver Bracket:
Western Illinois vs. Lake Land (10:00 AM)
SIU Edwardsville vs. Illinois-Chicago (12:30 PM)
Winning and Losing Teams will play at 3:00 PM

Bronze Bracket:
Bradley vs. Heartland (10:00 AM)
Northern Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois (10:00 AM)
Winning and Losing Teams will play at 12:30 PM

-siue cougars-