Walk-Off Home Run Lifts Cougars

         All-American outfielder Jenny Esker (Steeleville) blasted a walk-off home run in bottom of the eighth as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville completed a sweep of Missouri-St. Louis on Wednesday.
         With a 2-2 count and two outs with the nightcap tied 3-3, Esker launched her fourth home run of the season.
         SIUE, 23-11 overall and 8-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, also won game one 2-1.
         Ashley Hoheimer (Walton, Ind.)picked up the victory in game one by scattering six hits.
         Tied 1-1 in the fifth, Alicia DeShasier (Carrollton) singled home the eventual game winner. Melissa Lindgren (Frankfort), who led off the inning with a double to left field, scored the winning run.
         In game two, Jessica Finch (LaSalle) battled through eight innings to pick up the victory for SIUE. She improved her record to a team-best 7-1.
         DeShasier was the hero midway through the game with a two-run double in the fifth, giving SIUE a 3-2 lead.
         Missouri-St. Louis, 15-18 overall and 3-7 in the GLVC, tied the scored up in the sixth as Corie Jones and Jen Schatz pulled off the second and home double steal.
         Finch outdueled UMSL hurler Emily Wagoner, who gave up just six hits in 7 2/3 innings.
         SIUE returns to action Thursday as the Cougars take on Missouri Baptist in a 5 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at Cougar Field.