Feb. 17, 2012

Mississippi State Box Score
Mississippi Valley State Box Score

STARKVILLE, Miss. - SIUE softball handed Mississippi State its first loss of the season with a 5-4 triumph in the opening game of the Bulldog Round Robin.

The Cougars, now 4-2, also picked up their first shutout of the season with a 4-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State. Friday's game against the Devilettes was adjusted by tournament organizers based on expected rain Saturday. Saturday's schedule now consists of one game. SIUE plays Mississippi State in a 5 p.m. contest. The Cougars face Mississippi Valley State one more time Sunday at 11 a.m.

Amanda Lambrecht earned a win against Mississippi Valley State and collected a three-inning save against Mississippi State. She improved to 2-0 for the season.

Lindsey Coleman picked up the pitching victory for the Cougars against Mississippi State. She allowed three runs over four innings.

"Amanda threw the ball well," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "But it was Lindsey who really set the tone against Mississippi State. They both did an outstanding job.

The Cougars had jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first game against Mississippi State when Chelsea Yankolovich scored on a passed ball on the same play that Rachel Coonrod drew a walk. SIUE added to its lead in the second with an RBI single to left field by Rebecca Gray, scoring Samantha Stanicek from second base.

"It's about timeliness in everything," Montgomery said. "We did a job of executing and playing at a level we are capable of playing."

Mississippi State, 5-1, tied the game in the bottom of the second on a two-run double by Kaili Smith.

SIUE answered in top of the third. Alex McDavid tripled to right center field to drive home Lindsey Barron. McDavid would score on a base hit by Taylor Tooley.

Lambrecht entered the game in the fifth with a runner on second and would end up working her way out of a bases-loaded jam, keeping a 4-3 lead after five innings.

The Cougars added the single tally in the top of the seventh. Stanicek drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk as Yankolovich would score for the Cougars in what would be the eventual game winner.

Mississippi State added an RBI double by Sam Lenahan in the bottom of the seventh, but Lambrecht held on for her first career save.

Misty Flesher took the loss for the Bulldogs.

In the nightcap, SIUE's offense picked up the only runs it needed in the fourth. Paige Sheeder, pinch-running for Stanicek, scored on a passed ball. Kayla Riggs also plated home on a single by Barron.

SIUE added single tallies in the fifth and sixth on RBIs from Stanicek and Yankolovich.

Lambrecht gave up just three hits to the Devilettes, who fell to 0-5.

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