Box Score CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Grace Lueke hit her second home run in as many days, but the SIUE softball team dropped the final game of a three-game series at Southeast Missouri 5-1.

Lueke barrelled a pitch well over the fence at Southeast Softball Complex, even bouncing the ball over the nearby road.

"She absolutely crushed it," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "What I like about it most was that she worked herself into a hitter's count and took advantage of it."

It was just one of two hits on the day for the Cougars, which dropped to 8-14 overall and 0-3 in the Ohio Valley Conferene. Paige Rocha, who now has a 13-game hitting streak, recorded the other hit for the Cougars.

"She (Rocha) is doing a fantastic job in the leadoff spot," said Sorden. Rocha hit .643 for the week and recorded a impressive 1.214 slugging percentage behind two doubles and two home runs.

The Cougars used three pitchers in the contest with Lexi King taking the loss after throwing 1 2/3 innings. Kelsey Ray and Sydney Baalman also threw for SIUE.

"I think Sydney came in and did her job," said Sorden.

Southeast Missouri, now 10-6 overall and 3-0 in the OVC, used a four-run second inning to topple the Cougars. Extra-base hits by Sydney Dennis, Jillian Anderson and Alyson Tucker provided the key moments for the Redhawks.

SIUE now returns home Tuesday for a 1 p.m. nonconference doubleheader against Bradley.