CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.  -  SIUE softball split a pair of games at UT Chattanooga on Saturday, opening the day with a narrow loss to Indiana State before needing extra innings to claim a 5-4 victory over Northwestern State.

Game 1 (ISU 7, SIUE 5)
The Sycamores started the scoring early, as a double to left center brought home a pair of runs before ISU closed out the home half of the first with a third run which scored off a fielder's choice.

Despite the early three-run deficit, the Cougars clawed back one inning later thanks to a two-run shot to left field from Lauryn Yslava. The Red & White tied the ballgame in the third inning off an unearned run, before taking a 5-3 lead in the fourth thanks to a pair of Sycamore errors.

However, the SIUE lead would not last - ISU put together a three-run fifth inning that proved decisive and helped the Sycamores claim the 7-5 win.

Game 2 (SIUE 5, NWST 4 [F/8])
While the Cougars' early game was marked with early scoring, the bulk of the scoring in the second contest came in the final three innings of play.

SIUE struck first, as Amber Storer singled to center field to bring home Piper Montgomery to give the Red & White an early 1-0 lead.

Montgomery extended the Cougar lead in the sixth with a three-run bomb to left field, bringing home Yslava and Lueke to build the SIUE lead to four.

With victory nearly in hand, the Demons found life in the seventh inning with a game-tying grand slam that sent the game to extra innings.

However, the game would not extend much longer - Montgomery's stellar outing was capped off with a game-winning double to send home Mia Haynes and give the Cougars their first win at the Chattanooga Challenge.

Up Next
The Cougars (3-6) will close out their trip to Southeast Tennessee with a game against tournament host Chattanooga. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. Central.