PEORIA, Ill. - SIUE's run at the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championships came to an end Thursday in an 8-7 elimination game loss to Tennessee State.

SIUE's offense collected 15 hits for the game, including three each from Paige Rocha, Grace Lueke and Maleah Blomenkamp. SIUE's 15 hits tied for the most this season in a game.

"I thought the offense was on the attack most of the day," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "I was proud of our approach at the plate. We just needed to finish."

After Rocha led off the game with a solo home run, the Cougars' big inning was a four-run third inning that included five straight hits from Rocha, Jenna Herron, Lueke, Anna Henderson and Lauren Yslava. Lueke was later named to the OVC All-Tournament team.

The Cougars added two runs in the bottom of the sixth on RBI singles from Lueke and Emma Henderson.

Tennessee State, however, pulled off its second come-from-behind victory of the tournament with a six-run seventh inning.

Kelsey Ray took the loss in relief of Sydney Baalman. Holly Ayala threw the final 4 2/3 innings for the Tigers and was awarded the win.

The 2024 season was memorable for the Cougars. It included the nation's longest hitting streak of 29 games by Paige Rocha as well as the nation's longest game, a 16-inning marathon against Southern Indiana.

Sorden reflected on seniors Lueke, Herron, Ray and Baalman.

"I want to thank the seniors for leaving the program better than they found it," said Sorden. "Each one of them is very special and brings something unique to the team, and each one plays with a lot of heart."

SIUE ends the season with a 19-35 record.