April 7, 2011

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Despite a nine-strikeout effort from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Erika Taylor, Eastern Illinois outdueled the Cougars 1-0 in college softball action Thursday at Williams Field.

Eastern Illinois scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the first inning. Kiley Holtz singled home Melise Brown with two outs for the eventual game winner. Brown bunted her way on to start the game and stole second to put herself in scoring position.

"We lost it in the first inning," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "We knew she was going to bunt, and she still reached. Then there were two pitches that were too much over the plate, and you're down 1-0."

SIUE, now 15-21 overall and 7-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference, managed two hits against EIU starter Amber May, now 11-3. The Panthers improved to 24-7 overall and 11-1 in the OVC.

"I thought we did well at the plate," said Montgomery. "Amber May is a good pitcher. My hats off to her."

SIUE recorded its first hit in the third inning with a Whitney Davis single. Chelsea Yankolovich had the other hit with a two-out double in the sixth.

Taylor, now 11-11, was strong for the Cougars. She gave up six hits overall, three of which came in the first inning. The Cougar right-hander struck out nine overall and fanned at least one batter every inning.

"Erika did well. Something like four of six hits were bunt hits," said Montgomery.

The Cougars now look ahead to this weekend's action against Tennessee Tech on Alumni Weekend. A doubleheader is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cougar Field. A single game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Montgomery said she hopes to get another opportunity against Eastern Illinois.

"I still think we're in a good spot against them. We've seen them. We know what they have," she said.

-siue cougars-