EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE softball collected three hits Sunday in its Ohio Valley Conference season opener, dropping a 2-0 decision to visiting Austin Peay.

"We didn't have it today," said SIUE Associate Head Coach Jessica Jones. "We have a very good warmup, and we didn't transition it to the game. We weren't aggressive when we needed to be."

The series continues Monday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Cougar Field. SIUE is now 6-12 overall and 0-1 in the OVC. Austin Peay improved to 5-13 overall and 1-0 in the OVC.

"We didn't get much chemistry at the plate at all. Tomorrow we're going to work on seeing strikes and controlling what we can control," said Jones.

The Cougars picked up hits from Rachel Keller, Tess Eby and Talisa Morton. Keller hit a one-out double in the third inning for the team's lone extra-base hit. SIUE was 1 of 8 with runners in scoring position.

Ashley Koziol, 3-8, took the loss for the Cougars after giving up back-to-back doubles to Chandler Groves and Kacy Acree to start the game. SIUE went to the bullpen for Baylee Douglass, who hurled all seven innings. Her only run allowed was a fifth-inning solo home run by Acree, who finished 3 for 4.

"She (Douglass) responded," said Jones. "She is a quality player and is very good at coming in pressure situations."

Autumn Hanners, 3-6, went the distance for Austin Peay, walking three and striking out three.

SIUE will look to get its bats going with the doubleheader Monday, and Jones said it's a three-game series for a reason.

"It's early in the season, and I think we're going to come back and respond," she added.