Feb. 27, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball wrapped up play at the University of Louisville's Red and Black Tournament with a split of its final two games Sunday. The Cougars dropped their opener 3-0 to Miami (Ohio) before defeating Wright State 2-1 in their final game.

The Cougars finished the three-day tournament with a 2-3 record. SIUE improved to 5-9 overall with the win over WSU.

SIUE broke a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the sixth inning of game two. Lindsay Barron and Rachel Coonrod started the inning with back-to-back infield singles. Paige Sheeder then singled up the middle to drive home Barron. Two batters later Kasey Schlafke dropped a bunt down in front of home plate to bring Jill Rackers home. Rackers was pinch-running for Coonrod.

Wright State, 4-4, got a two-out solo home run from China Frost to make it 2-1.

Barron finished the game 2 for 4 with the run scored for the Cougars.

Erika Taylor, 3-5, tossed the complete-game for the win. She allowed four hits and struck out three.

In the first game, Miami right-hander allowed just three hits in shutting out the Cougars 3-0. Simpson provided the offense for Miami, 5-3, with a two-out, two-run home run in the sixth to put the Redhawks up for good 3-0.

SIUE put a pair on base in the bottom of the seventh with nobody out, before Simpson struck out the side to end the game.

Coonrod was 2 for 3 in the loss. Chelsea Yankolovich had the only other hit for the Cougars.

Ali Downing, 1-3, started and suffered the complete game loss in game two. Downing allowed the three runs on eight Miami hits.

The Cougars step out of tournament play for a single game at Missouri State Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.