HATTIESBURG, Miss. - SIUE pitcher Kelsey Ray struck out a career-high eight batters in her first career shutout as the Cougars blanked Jacksonville State 3-0 to close out day two of the Golden Eagle Invitational.

Earlier in the day, Southern Mississippi nipped the softball Cougars 1-0.

Ray allowed just two hits for her first win of the season and SIUE's first victory of the season. Jacksonville State had singles in the first and fifth innings. Ray tossed exactly 100 pitches en route to her win.

"She was locked in today," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden, who recorded his first career victory as a head coach. "She was in command all day."

Paige Rocha gave the Cougars the only run they would need, a second-inning home run to right center field. SIUE added one more run in the second inning as Sherri Mason singled and scored from first on a double by Abby Braundmeier.

The Cougars, 1-6, would add an insurance run in the fifth as Micah Arps singled and scored on a double by Emma Neuman.

"I was also pleased with the defense today," said Sorden. "There were no errors in either game.

In Saturday's game one, Sydney Baalman allowed just one run on four hits against host Southern Mississippi.

"Sydney was on fire," added Sorden.

Jana Lee took the win for USM, yielding hits to SIUE's Lexi King, Piper Montgomery, Kate Crombar and Rocha.

SIUE closes out the tournament Sunday with a single game against Tulsa. Game time is 9:30 a.m.