COOKEVILE, Tenn. – SIUE starter Travis Felax threw eight shutout innings Thursday night, but Tennessee Tech was able to push a run across in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 1-0 win in the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series.

The Cougars fell to 6-14 overall and 4-6 in the OVC with the loss. Tennessee Tech improved to 20-6 overall and 9-1 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles extended their winning streak to an NCAA Division I-best 13 games.

The game's lone run came against Cougar reliever Jake Stauffenberg. Tennessee Tech first baseman Zach Stephens walked with one out, and then advanced to second on a balk. Stephens was removed for pinch runner Zephan Guyear. Two batters later Daniel Miles singled to drive in Guyear with the game-winning run.

Felax lowered his season ERA to 1.63, while allowing just three hits over eight innings. He struck out five and walked two. He has turned in four consecutive starts in which he last at least eight innings. He has tossed at least seven innings in five consecutive starts.

"Travis was dominant again," SIUE Interim Head Coach Tony Stoecklin said. "Both starting pitchers were really good tonight."

Tennessee Tech starter Tristan Archer (5-1) allowed just four hits en route to his second complete game, and first shutout, of the year. He struck out eight and walked two.

The Cougars' four hits came from four separate players. Travis Becherer, James Vazquez, Joel Greatting, and Devin Caldwell each had hits for SIUE.

"This is the third week in a row we've lost a one-run (series) opening game," Stoecklin said. "I think the guys are bothered by being shut out again."

The teams play the second game of the three-game series Friday night. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

"We just have to find a way to bounce back and get a win," Stoecklin added.