Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Emily Ingles joined the 500-strikeout club for SIUE softball as the Cougars swept a Saturday doubleheader and earned a series win over UT Martin at Cougar Field.
SIUE, 7-16 overall and 7-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference, won the opener 4-3 and added a 6-3 victory in the nightcap. UT Martin twice was denied its 20th victory of the season, falling to 19-9 overall and 8-7 in the OVC.
Ingles became the fifth pitcher in school history to pass 500. She threw 1 2/3 innings in game two and earned her second victory of the season. It was her 41st career win in the circle, which is 14th all-time.
"That's something every pitcher dreams about for a career," said SIUE Head Coach Jessica Jones. "We were extremely happy to have her back for this season. She deserves it."
The other players on the 500-strikeout list are Haley Chambers-Book (979 – 2013-17), Erika Taylor (737 – 2008-11), Kaitlin Colosimo (715 – 2006-09) and Sandy Montgomery (659 – 1982-85).
Jones said her team was focused Saturday.
"We controlled the pace of the games today," added Jones.
In game one, Sydney Baalman earned a complete-game victory and improved to 3-5.
"The pitching staff put together a full day," said Jones. "The energy was up all around."
SIUE managed single tallies in the first four innings of game one.
Alana Cobb-Adams set the pace for the day with a home run to right center leading off the game.
Grace Lueke and Amber Storer provided RBI hits in the second and third inning, respectively. The Cougars pulled off a squeeze bunt by Cobb-Adams in the fourth, scoring Micah Arps.
SIUE outhit UT Martin in game one 10-6. Ava Bieneman had three hits for the Cougars, her team-leading third three-hit game of the season.
In game two, SIUE rallied for four unearned runs off UT Martin starter Alexis Groet in the second inning. Bailley Concatto highlighted the inning with a two-run homer to right field.
While Ingles earned the win, Bianca Vozenilek was equally as strong. She tossed three innings in relief allowing one hit for her first career save.
"They were controlling their game rather than working on worrying about the uncontrollable," said Jones.
SIUE's next action is a nonconference single game at Saint Louis Wednesday. Game time is 3 p.m.
