OXFORD, Ala. – SIUE softball bowed out of the Ohio Valley ConferenceTournament Wednesday at Choccolocco Park, dropping a 6-2 contest to Eastern Kentucky.

SIUE's season ends with a 16-28 record.

Eastern Kentucky, 31-18, scored three runs in the first inning and never trailed.

"That's something we have been fighting all year," said SIUE Interim Head Coach Jessica Jones. "Unfortunately, the ball never really fell our way."

Conner Cutright, Alana Cobb-Adams and Abby Marlow each had two hits for the Cougars, which scored both of their runs in the fourth inning.

"They've been getting better throughout the entire season," added Jones.

EKU struck back with a single tally in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

Emily Ingles took the loss for the Cougars. Mollie Paulick earned the win with four relief innings for the Colonels.

Jones said the Cougars, appearing in their seventh straight OVC Tournament, will have to get past the bittersweet tournament and season

"The season is a grind," she said. "It's a marathon, but we're going to make sure we get this program back where it is supposed to be."