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Box Score 2 JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The SIUE softball team captured three wins in four games over the weekend after splitting a doubleheader with defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Jacksonville State Sunday at University Field.
The Gamecocks (19-8, 5-2 OVC) prevailed 10-4 in the first game of the day, but a seventh-inning rally by SIUE (11-16, 5-1 OVC) lifted the Cougars to a 5-1 victory in game two.
"I'm very happy with how we competed," Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "We kept plugging along and we got something going at the end. We had some kids step up in big spots, and that's what you need to have if you want to compete for championships."
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Cougars entered the final inning of play staring at a 1-0 deficit. The visitors responded, however, scoring five runs on four hits during the top of the seventh inning to top their OVC rivals.
Haley Chambers got the rally going with an RBI double to score Jill Rackers before freshman Whitney Lanphier followed with an RBI single to give SIUE the 2-1 lead.
"It was a huge comeback," Lanphier said. "We didn't give up the whole game and kept the energy going. We stayed together as a team and got the win."
Chambers, who threw her second career no-hitter Saturday at Tennessee Tech, shined in the circle once again. The sophomore tossed her 12th complete game of the season, allowing one unearned run on five hits while striking out six JSU batters.
"Haley is really starting to come into her own as a player, not just a pitcher," Montgomery said. "She's showing maturity, playing with poise, and being the type of leader you want on your team."
In game one, the Gamecocks jumped out to a quick lead by scoring all 10 of their runs over the first three innings of play.
Kayla Riggs led the Cougars offensively by going 2-2 with a pair of runs scored. In the circle, freshman Alexis Robison-Kohrs pitched the final 3.2 innings and allowed no runs on five hits.
SIUE will return to action Thursday when they welcome Bradley to Cougar Field for a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
"It's not easy to win on the road, so I'm very happy to go 3-1 this weekend," Montgomery said. "We have to keep getting better and work on being more consistent in some areas."
