EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE softball won its first Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader of the season, taking two games Saturday from first-place Eastern Illinois.

The Cougars won game one 12-2 in five innings and 5-4 in the nightcap on a walkoff sacrifice fly by Anna Henderson that scored Paige Rocha from third base.

"Today is a good day to be a Cougar," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "It was a total team win. I think we dominated in the first game. In the second game, we had to scratch back and played from behind."

SIUE, 12-22 overall and 4-8 in the OVC, left little doubt in game one, scoring in all four innings on offense while holding EIU to five hits.

The Cougars scored six runs in the opening frame behind four singles and four Eastern Illinois errors.

Grace Lueke unleashed a three-run homer in the fourth inning and finished with three runs scored and four RBIs. Emma Henderson rapped a pair of hits and drove in three runs. Kaylynn Salyars provided a big two-run single in the first inning that knocked out EIU starter/loser Olivia Price.

Sydney Baalman went the distance and earned the win. The Cougar senior also won game two coming in late relief.

"This weekend, I think we played to our potential," said Sorden.

Eastern Illinois, now 23-11 overall and 9-3 in the OVC, appeared to be in control in game two, scoring in three of the first four innings and grabbing a 4-0 lead.

The Cougars began their comeback in the fourth. Anna Henderson singled home Jenna Herron with a shot to right field. Lueke also scored on the play after a fielding error by right fielder Aryn Henke.

Lauren Yslava would score in the sixth on a single by Emma Henderson, cutting the led to 4-3.

In the seventh, Danielle Shuey opened the inning by drawing a walk off EIU starter McKenzie Oslanzi. EIU went to the bullpen for Rachel Kaufman, but the Cougars found their countermove.

Paige Rocha, who tied the school record with her 27th straight game with a hit, laced her third hit of the game to right field. Jenna Herron tied up the game with an RBI single to right field, scoring Shuey. After an intentional walk to Grace Lueke that would load the bases, Anna Henderson hit a fly ball to center field that would enable Rocha to score from third.

"That's what I love about this team," said Sorden. "They have a never-say-die attitude and they just keep coming at you.

SIUE returns to play Wednesday with a road nonconference doubleheader at Bradley. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. in Peoria, Illinois.