CARBONDALE, Ill. - SIUE softball collected a season-high 14 hits Friday but couldn't keep up with DePaul's big innings in a 9-5 loss in the opening day of the Coach B Classic.

SIUE's offense featured three hits Emma Neuman and two each from Lexi King, Lauren Yslava, Sherri Mason and Piper Montgomery.

"I thought we hit the ball well today," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden.

The Cougars, 1-8, held the lead early against DePaul, 5-5, by scoring twice in the third inning.

King hit an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Paige Rocha. Yslava singled home King with a rap into center field. Two more hits by Micah Arps and Neuman put the Cougars ahead 2-0.

Kelsey Ray started for the Cougars and threw a perfect game for four innings before DePaul struck hard for five runs in the fifth. Rylie Pindel came in relief of Ray in the fifth, but the Blue Demons added four more runs in the sixth.

A pair of home runs in the fifth by Riley Pool and Tori Meyer provide the firepower DePaul needed.

SIUE made a strong effort late in the contest, adding a three runs in the top of the seventh on RBI hits from Neuman, Hayley Palm and Piper Montgomery.

"I was very proud of how they battled," said Sorden. "We had two runners on there at the end and we were one batter away from having the tying run come to the plate. So I was very happy with how they didn't give up."

Brenna Smith picked up the win for DePaul with four innings of relief.

SIUE returns to the Coach B Classic Saturday with two games scheduled. The Cougars face Northern Kentucky at 10:30 a.m. followed by a second matchup against DePaul at 12:45 p.m.