EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Sydney Baalman tossed a two-hitter for her fourth solo shutout of the season as SIUE softball split a doubleheader with Tennessee Tech Saturday at Cougar Field.

The Cougars, 19-23 overall and 5-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference, took the opener 2-0 and dropped the nightcap 3-0. The two teams will play the deciding game of the series Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.

Baalman lowered her season earned run average to a team-leading 2.68 and improved her season record to 9-8.

"She had eight strikeouts with one walk," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "I thought she did a fantastic job of controlling the count and kept them off balance."

SIUE scored its only runs in the fifth inning. Paige Rocha singled home Grace Lueke. Emma Neuman followed up with an infield out that resulted in Sherri Mason scoring.

Lueke was the offense star for the Cougars, collecting a season-high three hits that included a pair of doubles.

"It's good to see Grace back and with confidence in the batter's box," said Sorden.

In game two, Tennessee Tech broke up Rylie Pindel's no-hit bid in the top of the seventh. All five of their hits came in the three-run seventh inning.

Kaylan Cole scattered three hits for Tennessee Tech for her third win in the circle of the season.