EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE softball rallied for seven runs in the fourth inning Tuesday as the Cougars rolled over Missouri State 9-5 in the home opener at Cougar Field.

SIUE improved to 11-9 and next heads to Kansas City for a noon nonconference doubleheader Thursday.

Missouri State, 1-19, led the contest early on an RBI single by Halle Studer in the first inning. McKenzie Vaughn would make it 4-0 Bears in the top of the fourth on a three-run homer to left.

Vaughn, the starting pitcher, held the Cougars scoreless until the fourth when SIUE started its charge.

Anna Henderson led off the inning with a single down the right field line. After Abby Harvell pinch ran, Raegan Duncan doubled to the fence in right field, scoring Harvell. Vaughn was lifted for Mackenzie Chacon, who was unable to gain an out against the Cougars.

Duncan moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Juztyne Torres. Kaylin Fahy reached on an infield error. Danielle Shuey singled through the right side of the infield, driving home Torres. When the trying to catch Shuey heading to second on the throw home, Fahy turned the corner at third and scored. Lauryn Yslava added an RBI single that brought home Shuey.

Mackenzi Swick then entered as the third Missouri State pitcher in the inning. After Yslava stole third, Kaylynn Salyars blasted a home run to left field. It was her second home run of the season. She now leads the Cougar offense with a .371 batting average.

Salyars finished with a team-leading three hits for the game and even flashed her glove in the fifth, gaining an infield out from her knees.

Anna Henderson, who had two hits, added a two-run single in the sixth inning.

Kiana Villa picked up the win in relief of Emma Henderson. Villa threw the final 3 2/3 innings and improved to 2-0. Chacon was charged with the loss and is now 0-5.