Feb. 18, 2011

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - UCLA just became acquainted with the SIUE Cougars roar.

No. 1-ranked and defending national champion UCLA and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville went extra innings Friday with the Bruins slipping past the softball Cougars 3-2. The nine-inning game at the Louisville Slugger Invitational was a phenomenal performance for the Cougars, who outhit the Bruins 7-5.

SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said it was heartbreaking loss for the Cougars but showed that SIUE belongs at this level.

"This is a great statement for our institution that we are trying to put ourselves in a position to compete. I think we made the statement that we can do that. I think it brought a lot of notoriety to our campus. I couldn't be prouder of my team," said Montgomery.

SIUE, 2-4, opened the scoring in the first inning when Paige Sheeder doubled down the left field line. Chelsea Yankolovich, who led the game off with a walk from UCLA starter Donna Kerr, scored on the play.

"Paige just ripped it down the line and really shocked them at that point," said Montgomery.

Erika Taylor, SIUE's starting pitcher, gave up one hit over the first five innings.

"She was outstanding. That's one of the best games I've seen her throw. They (UCLA) are No. 1 for a reason. Those hitters are at another level. She had their number. She did a nice job and Coach (Buddy) Foster called a great game," said Montgomery.

UCLA's second hit of the game was a game-tying home run in the sixth inning by GiOnna DiSalvatore.

After sending the game to extra innings, both teams came up empty in the eighth.

The Cougars would take the lead back in top of the ninth. Sheeder would draw a walk with the bases loaded to plate Kasey Schlafke and give SIUE a 2-1 edge.

Lindsey Barron also was a star at the plate for the Cougars. She finished the game 3 for 5 with a stolen base. Montgomery said Barron and Sheeder were outstanding at the plate.

"They were focused and locked in. They had great at-bats," Montgomery said.

The 6-0 Bruins, who had outscored their opponents 59-6 over their first five games of the season, had difficulty scoring against Taylor, who fanned five in 8 2/3 innings of work.

With UCLA's Andrea Harrison on second due to the international tiebreaker, Kellie Fox drove her home with a single to tie the score 2-2. With two outs, Alyssa Tiumalu singled up the middle. Fox would round third and score on the play to end the game.

Kerr earned her fourth victory of the young season. She struck out 12 batters and walked four.

Montgomery said it was a teaching moment for the Cougars.

"I was just very proud of how they played. We've been working very hard to make sure that we were not going to be intimidated in this tournament and we haven't been," said Montgomery. "I am very proud of them."

SIUE looks to rebound later today against Long Beach State. Game time is 3:45 p.m. PT. The Cougars have two more games Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Invitational. The Cougars face host UNLV at 1:30 p.m. PT and No. 3-ranked Tennessee at 6 p.m. PT.

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