Oct. 3, 2010

NORMAL, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball closed out the fall exhibition season Sunday with two more victories.

The Cougars won the Silver Bracket at the Illinois Collegiate Softball Championships. The two-day tournament concluded with a 4-2 SIUE win over UIC and a 7-2 triumph over Western Illinois.

"I'm actually very happy with where we are after the fall season," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "We have great team chemistry, and we got better each game we played this fall, which is crucial."

SIUE finished the fall exhibition season with a 6-2 record after Sunday's wins.

"We have a lot of depth and a lot of players put forth good effort. That made for good competition and good performances," said Montgomery.

Ali Downing pitched a complete game against Western Illinois as did Erika Taylor in the opener.

Montgomery said a number of Cougars played well on offense. "We hit the ball well all day and all through the lineup," she said. Montgomery noted the play of Samantha Stanicek, Taylor Tooley, and Whitney Davis.

SIUE softball is the fast track women's sport and begins full Ohio Valley Conference schedules this spring. The Cougars are fully eligible for postseason play, including the OVC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. The spring schedule begins in February.

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