CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Hayley Palm came off the bench in the fourth inning and provided a huge boost for SIUE softball with a three-run home run.

The Cougars, 10-19 overall, couldn't come back from a strong offensive start from Illinois, however. The Fighting Illini defeated the Cougars 13-4 in five innings.

"I was really proud of how we were swinging the bats," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "We hit it hard but right at people. Lexi King coming out right out of the gate putting one off the wall was key. Paige Rocha led off the game with a hit.

"I like how we came out and played aggressive in the first inning. We didn't happen to score, but we came out swinging the bat."

Palm's home run was the first of her career in a Cougar uniform. It came with Piper Montgomery and Sherri Mason on base. SIUE added another run later in the inning when Rocha scored on one of Illinois' three errors.

"She got all of it," Sorden said of Palm's home run. "It was a great at bat. She kept working the count, fouling it off and finally got one to hit. I'm real happy for Hayley."

SIUE collected eight hits and stranded seven runners. Rocha led the way with two hits as seven different players had a hit. Emma Neuman extended her hitting streak to seven games.

Sydney Baalman took the loss for the Cougars. Sydney Sickels was credited with the win for the Fighting Illini.

Illinois collected 13 hits in the game and scored in each of the first three innings. Four players for the Fighting Illini had two hits each,

SIUE continues on this road swing with a 2 p.m. doubleheader Thursday at Kansas City.