EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE softball scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to upend Saint Louis 6-5 Wednesday at Cougar Field.

"Number one, it was a good team win," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden, who recorded a victory in his first-ever home game with the Cougars. "Everybody contributed in some fashion whether they were on the field or passing along information on the bench or they were cheering on their teammates. It was a total team win."

Sherri Mason's two-out single down the left field line turned out to be the game-winning hit as SIUE improved to 8-11.

Saint Louis, 4-13, and SIUE both went four innings without scoring to start, but the Billikens erupted for five runs in the fifth. Chloe Rhine hit a two-run triple and Natalie Sullivan homered.

"Kelsey Ray had a one rough inning, but she gave us a solid start," said Sorden. "Sydney Baalman came in and held them off."

Baalman collected the win in relief, her fifth of the season.

An Emma Neuman single off the bag at third base that scored Paige Rocha put the Cougars on the scoreboard for the first time in the sixth inning. That set up the seventh inning for the Cougars. 

Micah Arps opened the inning with an infield hit. She stolen second and remained at second on a single just over the left side of the infeld.

Paige Rocha, who had four hits Wednesday, clobbered a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence, putting the Cougars behind just by one run at 5-4. 

With the bases cleared, SIUE didn't hold back. Lexi King jumped on the first pitch from SLU starter Chloe Wendling with a single up the middle. King stole second and was joined on the basepaths by Neuman, who drew a walk.

Abby Braundmeier stepped up to tie the score 5-5 with a single through the left side that brought home King.

Sorden then went to his deep bench and inserted Sam Breed to replace Neuman at second, representing the winning run.

Mason fouled three pitched off before hitting the game winner. Breed slid into home ahead of the throw.

"At any time you can come in and get the job done," said Sorden. "One thing I have noticed from this team is they are starting to play for each other."

SIUE next will face Southeast Missouri on the road to start the Ohio Valley Conference season.