March 12, 2011

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville softball was happy to finally be home after playing its first 21 games on the road.

The homecoming didn't leave the Cougars as happy as SIUE was defeated twice by Southeast Missouri State, both in extra innings. SEMO took game one 11-4 in nine innings and the nightcap 8-6 in eight innings.

SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said the Cougars have had to scratch and claw for breaks all season long. And Saturday was no exception.

"We've been on the road a long time. We certainly would to have liked to at least get a split today. It's nice to play in front of our home fans and on our home field. We'll get some rest and hopefully tomorrow we'll be ready to go," she said.

SEMO won both games in extra innings by using the long ball.

In game one, Shelby Kuryllo hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth as the Redhawks rallied for seven runs. Erika Taylor took the loss for SIUE. She struck out eight in 8 2/3 innings.

In the nightcap, the home run ball came from Nicole Trancoso. Her two-run homer in the top of the eighth helped SEMO improved their overall record to 5-11 with a 2-0 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference.

It was the first outing for the Cougars in OVC play. SIUE had its opportunities in game one after leaving 10 runners on base.

"We've got to make those plays. We have to execute on offense. That's the bottom line," Montgomery said.

SIUE opened the scoring in the first inning. Kasey Schlafke was hit by a pitch to open the game. Samantha Stanicek slashed a double down the left field line, and freshman Rachel Coonrod picked up the RBI with a sacrifice fly, scoring Schlafke.

After SEMO scored single tallies in the second and the fourth innings, Chelsea Yankolovich put SIUE ahead with her first career home run. The Cougar freshman shortstop launched a first-pitch, two-run home run over the fence in center field to give SIUE a 3-2 lead. SEMO would send the game into extra innings with a run in the sixth. Both teams scored once in the eight before SEMO put together its seven-run rally.

"It's a tough game mentally. We're not going to make excuses for ourselves. We just have to get better," said Montgomery.

SIUE went to 7-16 overall and 0-2 in the OVC after Ali Downing, 1-7, took the loss in the nightcap. SEMO jumped ahead 5-0 with four hits and a pair of errors for the Cougars.

The Cougars were able to claw back with three runs in the second, a solo home run by Brianna Fulginiti in the third, and two more on RBI hits by Coonrod and Taylor Tooley.

Shea Cothren, 2-4, picked up in win in relief for SEMO. She threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings and gave up three hits.

The Cougars and the Redhawks complete the three-game series at Cougar Field Sunday with a single game. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.

"Everybody is disappointed with doubleheader but we have a lot of quality kids and they are full of character, determination and pride in the program." said Montgomery.

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