EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Lauren Yslava homered and Mia Haynes tossed a complete game as SIUE softball won the opening game of a three-game series Friday 4-1 over UT Martin.
SIUE Interim Head Coach P.J. Finigan said a special group of fans pumped up the Cougars.
"The 2020 senior class really helped motivate this team," said Finigan. "They were out there past the right field fence making a lot of noise, and it really put this team in a good place to start the game."
That 2020 group will be honored Saturday between games. Their "Senior Day" never happened because of the abrupt shutdown of the 2020 season and COVID protocols.
SIUE improved to 15-26 overall and 6-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference while UT Martin dropped to 25-14 overall and 10-5 in the OVC.
The Cougars wasted little time in taking the lead. Lexi King walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bailley Concatto. Grace Lueke flied out but was able to help move King over to third. Yslava made it 1-0 with a single to center field.
UT Martin evened the score in the second inning as Kallie Pickens doubled down the left field line, scoring Shyanne Sheffield from first.
The only other offense came in the fifth. Micah Arps reached on an infield single, and King drew a walk. That allowed Concatto to put down a second successful sacrifice bunt for the day that moved both runners into scoring position. Lueke picked up an RBI on an infield out.
Yslava then launched her sixth home run of the season with Lexi King on base.
"What an impressive home run," noted Finigan. "There were a couple of hard-hit balls to right field that didn't go anywhere because of the wind. With the wind blowing across the field like that, it was a testament to how hard she hit that ball."
Haynes picked up her sixth win of the season by scattering six hits and keeping the top of UT Martin's batting order mostly off the bases.
"I thought she did a great job of pitching to both sides of the plate," said Finigan. "Being able to have something to go with her curve ball is huge."
The two teams play a Saturday doubleheader at Cougar Field. Game time is noon.
