COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE Baseball split the double header with Tennessee Tech Saturday, dominating the Eagles 18-12 in game one, but falling in the final inning 12-11 during game two.
 
The Cougars are now 12-14 overall and 5-1 in OVC play. Tennessee Tech is now 19 - 10 overall and 4-2 in OVC.
 
The Cougars scored three times in the third inning to tie up the game. Kyle Ratliff singled through the left side, before Joshua Heyder hit a home run to left center giving him two RBIs. Lane Crowden later walked and advanced to third after a double from John Stallcup. Daniel Gierer grounded out giving him the RBI and bringing Crowden home.
 
Ryan Niedzwiedz and Ratliff both hit home runs in left field during the fourth inning to maintain the Cougar's lead. This marked Ratliff's sixth home run of the season.
 
Niedzwiedz hit a second home run in the seventh inning giving him three RBIs.
 
TTU responded with two runs in the seventh after Nicho Jordan doubled to left center. However, this wouldn't be enough to catch the Cougars.
 
Alex Rodriguez relieved Garrett Helsel in the second inning and worked 3.1 innings only letting up five hits and two runs and two strike outs. Rodriguez improves to 2-1 on the season.
 
The Cougars kept their lead for majority of game two but fell short in the final inning.
 
Bloomer hit his team leading ninth home run of the season in the third inning, bringing in three runs.
 
Mack Mitchell had five at bats resulting in one home run, three RBIs and two hits. Heyder had four at bats giving him three hits, three RBIs and one home run.
 
Up next, the Cougars return to Simmons Baseball Complex to play Indiana State Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.