April 2, 2010

MACOMB, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Western Illinois 9-1 Friday in softball action at McKee Stadium. The two teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but the second game was cancelled because of rain.

The Cougars had the offense in full swing, scoring the nine runs on 10 hits.

"We got timely hitting in clutch situations," Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "I was really pleased we had several people come up big with runners in scoring position."

The Cougars scored four times in the first inning Friday on three hits. They never trailed.

Junior Laurie Siebert drove in a run with a single. Siebert added another run-scoring single in a five-run Cougar fifth inning to finish 2 for 3. She also scored two runs of her own.

Senior Lauren Zembruski was 2 for 3 with a run scored. Fellow senior Chaleen Rumpf and sophomore Whitney Davis each finished 1 for 3 with an RBI.

Erika Taylor, 15-10, earned the win for SIUE. Taylor tossed her second consecutive complete game and her 21st of the season. She allowed the single run on five hits, striking out six.

"I know Erika felt good coming into the game, which was obvious by how hard she was throwing," Montgomery added. "She had great command today and really pitched with a lot of composure."

Western Illinois, 18-11, scored its only run on a pair of hits in the third inning.

The Cougars, 19-16, are back in action Sunday afternoon when they host George Washington University at Cougar Field. First pitch is set for 1 pm.

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