EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE softball swept a Saturday doubleheader, overpowering Western Illinois 14-0 in five innings during game one and 4-2 in the nightcap.
SIUE and Western Illinois both have a 14-23 overall record, but the Cougars now have a two-game lead in OVC play on Western Illinois at 6-9. WIU is 4-11.
"I was really happy with the way we came out," said SIUE Head Coach
Ben Sorden. "The bats were hot and the pitching was solid."
Kelsey Ray allowed just one hit in game one and captured the win, her seventh of the season.
"Kelsey was fantastic," said Sorden. "She was in total command in game one. Her little sister Reese came in to finish the game. It was extra special to have the Ray sisters in one game."
Reese Ray, appearing in her first collegiate game, threw the top of the fifth in the short game called due to the run rule.
Reese Ray needed just four pitches for three outs in the fifth to end the game.
SIUE's offense was stellar in game one, posting nine runs in the first inning. The Cougars sent 14 batters to the plate.
Paige Rocha, batting a second time in the inning, drove home three runs with a double.
Grace Lueke also had a two-run single in the inning.
"I was happy that we were on the attack early," said Sorden.
SIUE cruised on offense, adding two in third and three more in the fourth.
Rocha was 3 for 3 with five RBIs. Lueke,
Anna Henderson,
Lauryn Yslava and
Emma Henderson each finished with two hits in the game. SIUE finished with 15 hits overall.
In game two,
Kelsey Ray got the start once again. She went 3 1/3 innings before being replaced by
Rylie Pindel, who garnered the win in relief.
Yslava provided the big hit for the Cougars in the fifth inning. Her hit to center field ended up near the wall. With
Anna Henderson in front of her, Yslava touched them all after an errant outfield throw allowed her to score.
Rocha went 0 for 3 in game two. Her 29-game hitting streak ended at Cougar Field on the same day she was ceremoniously given the ball that broke the school record yesterday at 28 games.
"It was a very good run and knowing her she's going to want to start another one," added Sorden.
