MOBILE, Ala. – A five-run outburst in the fifth and sixth innings proved to be the difference as SIUE baseball picked up a 9-4 win over Kent State to finish 2-1 at the South Alabama Invitational.

The Cougars (2-1) took a two-run lead in the first inning and led 4-2 after four innings.

It was 4-3 in the fifth when SIUE scored three times. Kyle Ratliff singled in a run and Daniel Gierer drove home a pair with a single. Chase Bloomer added a two-run home run in the sixth inning to push the Cougars' lead out to 9-3.

The Cougars put up 14 hits to go along with the nine runs. Ethan Willoughby finished 3-4 with two RBIs. Bloomer and Gierer each had two hits and two RBIs. Michael Siemer and Mack Mitchell each had two hits and an RBI.

Alex Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win in relief. He worked three innings, allowing a pair of runs. He struck out two and walked two. Freshman Brady Coon made his collegiate debut in the start. He threw three innings and gave up two runs on four hits. He struck out one.

Joseph Martin, Duncan McLaughlin and Tyler Davis combined to throw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

SIUE is scheduled to open the home season Tuesday at Roy E. Lee Field against Illinois State.