EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE softball won its third consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series with a 3-1 victory Sunday over Tennessee Tech.

It comes on the heels of series wins over Tennessee State and Southern Indiana the past two weekends. The Cougars improved to 20-23 overall and 6-10 in the OVC. Sunday's victory also lifted SIUE into sixth place in the league standings.

SIUE's schedule for the upcoming week includes a single nonconference contest at Missouri Tuesday. Next weekend, SIUE travels to Morehead State for a three-game series.

On Sunday, the SIUE pitching duo of Kelsey Ray and Syndey Baalman gave up just four Tennessee Tech hits and struck out five.

"I thought they did a great job. Kelsey Ray gave us a solid start," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "She got into a couple jams and pitched her way out of it,"

SIUE started the scoring in the third inning. Grace Lueke singled home Lexi King and put SIUE up 1-0.

The Golden Eagles tied the game in the top of the fifth with an RBI single by Haeli Bryson.

The Cougars response was quick and easy with Emma Neuman crushing a double to the left field fence that plated King and Paige Rocha.

"Emma Neuman did a fantastic job," said Sorden, "She makes great adjustments at the plate and she's really bought into the process."

SIUE had 10 hits overall, including a team-leading three from Rocha,

"You can't say enough good things about Paige offensively," said Sorden. "She just sets the tone for the entire team."