CARBONDALE, Ill. - Grace Lueke did much of the SIUE offensive heavy lifting Monday as SIUE gained a split at the final day of the Saluki Invitational.

SIUE, 7-12, defeated Northern Illinois 2-1 and dropped a 9-4 contest to host SIU Carbondale.

Lueke hit four home runs on the days with two in each game. The Northern Illinois win featured a walk-off home run by Lueke in the bottom of the seventh.

"It was pretty special," said SIUE Head Coach P.J. Finigan. "Even her outs were hit hard. Obviously, it was her show in the first game. She continued that in game two."

Lueke had five hits and five RBIs for the day.

"She seemed a lot more comfortable (at the plate)," said Finigan.

Mia Haynes went the distance in game one for her fourth win of the season. She struck out two and walked two. She didn't allow a Northern Illinois baserunner until the fourth inning.

Sydney Baalman took the loss against SIU Carbondale, which used a big seven-run fourth inning to push past the Cougars.

SIUE had its chances at the plate but stranded 19 runners over the two games Monday.

"It's been a common theme," said Finigan. "It is something we have to work on this week. I know they want to be up in that situation."

SIUE modified its schedule for Wednesday's home opener. The Cougars and South Dakota will now play a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Cougar Field.