MOBILE, Ala. – SIUE softball dropped its opening game at the Mardi Gras Invitational to Samford 3-2 Friday.

"We didn't have any intensity or play with passion," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "I'm disappointed with how we came and out and performed today."

SIUE grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a pair of unearned runs off Samford pitcher Mollie Hanson. Whitney Lanphier scored on a throwing error and Jordan LaFave later stole home seconds before Allison Smiley was tagged out between first and second on an attempted double steal.

Hannah Trombley put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning.

Caroline Wilder and Caitlin Bice hit back-to-back triples for Samford in the two-run fifth inning, which put the Bulldogs ahead for good.

SIUE made a last-ditch effort in the seventh and used two pinch hit singles to put Samford on edge. Maria Prete singled to center field, and Savannah Fisher lined a shot through the left side. With one out, however, Samford got out of the jam by getting LaFave to ground into a game-ending double play.

"You can't knock Jordan. She was 3 for 4 today but just happened to hit the ball down the third base line to double us up," said Montgomery.

Ashley Koziol was credited with the loss for the Cougars. She allowed six hits over four innings. Baylee Douglass tossed three innings and struck out five.

"We have to keep working and keep getting better," added Montgomery.

SIUE has two games set for Saturday. The Cougars face host South Alabama at 3:45 p.m. followed by Mississippi State at 6 p.m.