EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE softball won its sixth straight game and turned in a spectacular start to the home portion of the schedule Wednesday with a 10-1 triumph over Missouri State in five innings.

The Cougars improved to 13-6 and next face UT Martin Saturday and Sunday for their Ohio Valley Conference opener. A 1 p.m. start is scheduled for the doubleheader at Cougar Field Saturday. The third game of the series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said she is happy her team is buying into what the coaching staff has been reinforcing from day one.

"We're just trying to hit the ball well, pitch well, and play good defense. Fortunately we were able to do that today," said Montgomery.

SIUE left-hander Haley Chambers tossed a three-hitter for the Cougars and closed out the game with her fifth strikeout of the game. The reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week improved her season record to 6-2.

"She had a little bit of trouble finding the strike zone," admitted Montgomery. "But she's good enough to be able to finish through."

Missouri State, 9-11, moved out to an early lead with its only tally in the top of the first inning. Kerri Cunningham singled, stole second, and scored on a flair to right field by Mary Stephens.

The Cougars took the lead quickly behind a pair of Missouri State infield miscues. Chelsea Yankolovich and Alex McDavid both reached on errors. That set up RBIs by Kayla Riggs, Brittany Toney, and Samantha Stanicek. Toney and Stanicek then pulled off a successful double steal from first and third base which allowed Toney to score the fourth unearned run of the inning.

Missouri State starter Chelsea Jones was roughed up for six more runs in the third inning. The highlight of the inning for the Cougars was a two-run double by Stanicek that hit the fence in center field.

"She had a huge double up the middle that really busted the game open. We're hitting the ball through the lineup," said Montgomery.

The Cougars finished with 10 hits or better for the sixth time this season and have now scored 10 or more runs in four straight games.

Montgomery said she expects UT Martin and the Cougars to provide for entertaining games this weekend.

"They're a good team," Montgomery said. "They pitch well. They hit well. They're very scrappy, and they are very confident. It's going to be a dogfight like it always is in the OVC."