Cougars Complete Sweep over Morehead State
The Cougars reached the .500 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play for the first time this season. SIUE is 8-8 in the OVC and 16-21 overall after collecting a 6-4 victory over Morehead State. It was the first time SIUE has swept an OVC opponent this season.
"We're hitting the ball well. We're still up and down and inconsistent, but we're finding ways to win," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "We needed that win today -- no question about it. You have to sweep at home."
Amanda Lambrecht picked up her 12th victory of the season and completed the week with a 3-0 record against OVC competition. The junior right-hander struck out two and left nine Morehead State runners on base.
"She pitched much better today than she did yesterday," said Montgomery.
SIUE's offense gave Lambrecht some early breathing room with two runs in the first inning. Lindsey Barron reached on an infield error to open the inning. One out later, Chelsea Yankolovich drew a walk off Morehead State starter Katie Pfost, now 3-8. Alex McDavid delivered a sharp double that hit the top of the fence in center field. Both Barron and Yankolovich easily scored.
The Cougars added a run in the second. Rachel Coonrod started the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice by Samantha Stanicek. Whitney Davis drilled a liner to the right of Morehead State second baseman Stephanie Etter and into center field as Coonrod came around to score.
SIUE's big inning came in the fourth. A sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Kam Smallwood and a two-run double by Yankolovich gave SIUE a 6-0 lead.
Morehead State cut the lead in half in the fifth behind RBIs from Etter and Kayla Brill. The Eagles threatened again in the seventh. With two runners on, Brill sent a ball to deep center field where Cougar centerfielder Jill Rakers came up with a leaping grab over her right shoulder.
"Jill Rakers made a great catch in the outfield to make a difference," said Montgomery.
The Cougars finished the week 4-1 in OVC play and next get the rubber game of a three-game series with Murray State. That game will be played at 4 p.m. Thursday at Cougar Field. SIUE then heads to Jacksonville State for a three-game series with the Gamecocks next Saturday and Sunday.
"We're doing some things well. Even though we have some inconsistencies, we're still moving forward and that's what you hope. You want to peak at the end of the season," said Montgomery.
