NASHVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE softball split a pair of games Saturday at the Purple & Gold Challenge.

The Cougars avenged an earlier defeat, besting host Lipscomb 6-3. SIUE was edged in the nightcap 6-5 to Indiana State.

"We've been tested," said SIUE Head Coach Jessica Jones. "I'm proud of this team's fight. We have a veteran team, but we also have a lot of young players out there. We're getting battle tested in the preseason. It will be advantageous to us when we get to conference."

SIUE stands at 9-3 with one game left in the Purple & Gold Challenge. The Cougars face UMBC for a rematch at noon CT Sunday.

Jones complimented both of Saturday's opponents, notably Indiana State's defensive play.

"Both of them will do well in their conferences," said Jones. "They are both well-coached."

The Cougars battled back and forth with Lipscomb. SIUE opened the scoring in the second inning after Abby Marlow doubled and later to scored on a fielder's choice by Sydney Bina.

Conner Cutright put the Cougars up 2-0 in the fourth with an RBI single.

Lipscomb tied it up 2-2 in the fourth before and again 3-3 after five innings.

SIUE took the lead for the good in the sixth as Cutright doubled home Rachael Quaritsch, who led off the inning by being hit by a pitch.

The knockout blow was a two-run homer in the seventh by Abby Marlow, her second of the season. She is now second on the team in RBIs with 13.

"She is doing a great job of getting into a groove," said Jones of Marlow, who is batting .414 this season.

Emily Ingles picked up the win in relief and now 5-1.

In Saturday's second game, Indiana State scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to push past the Cougars.

Kloe Hilbrenner had three hits in the game and now has a team-leading seven game hitting streak. She belted a two-run homer in the second inning against Indiana State.

"I have a lot of grit in me," said Hilbrenner, who leads the team in batting average at .448. "I try to keep my head in the game."

"She's a competitor through and through," added Jones.