Softball team splits doubleheaders on road

Rick Crossin
Assistant Sports Editor

The SIUE softball team traveled south over the weekend to find that Southern hospitality doesn't always extend onto the field.

The Lady Cougars split their two doubleheaders with Indianapolis University and Northern Kentucky University.

In the first game Saturday against Indianapolis, SIUE was held below two runs for the first time in 15 games as the Lady Greyhounds won 3-1.

According to Montgomery, the umpires made their impact on the game often.

"We had two very poor ones (umpires) this weekend," Montgomery said. "I'm not blaming the umpire for the loss, but it makes it tough."

Sophomore Dawn Farmer started the game for SIUE and gave up nine hits and all three runs before being lifted for Katie Young in the sixth.

"She couldn't throw a strike, and she was throwing some nice pitches," Montgomery said. "He (the umpire) would not give her squat."

The Lady Cougar offense was stifled by Indy hurler Kelly Wilson, who went the distance giving up one run on seven hits.

Third baseman Erin Newman continued her torrid hitting this spring, notching the teams only extra base hit of the afternoon and notching a run batted in.

"Erin has been on fire," Montgomery said.

Mandy Uhrhan was the only SIUE hitter to tally more than one hit, as the Lady Cougars dropped their second game in their last 12.

Fortunately, SIUE came to play in the second game.

The Lady Cougars pounded Indy with pitching in game two of the double dip, as SIUE won the game 11-1.

Four Lady Cougars had multiple hits for SIUE, including a two-run homer by Kari Franzen in the second that brought the offense back to life.

Newman once again had a huge game for SIUE, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. But Newman wasn't the only Lady Cougar that carried the offense.

Cindy Kolda went 2-for-4 in the game, with a double, a triple and two RBIs. Beckie Wilson had two doubles and two RBIs.

Leadoff batter Katie Waldo was perfect in the game, going 3-for-3 and adding a stolen base, bringing her season total to 25.

The SIUE pitching improved by leaps and bounds in the second game as well.

Senior Sara Obrecht threw another complete game for the Lady Cougars, giving up just one unearned run in the first inning en route to her eighth victory.

After a stay in Indianapolis, SIUE traveled to Highland Heights, Ky., to face Northern Kentucky University.

The Lady Cougars fed off their win in Indianapolis and defeated NKU 3-1 in the first game of the twinbill Sunday.

Obrecht pitched her second game in as many days for SIUE, going seven innings and giving up one run for the win.

"She (Obrecht) is not someone that throws real hard, but she's got good movement on the ball that keeps hitters off balance," Montgomery said.

Three different Lady Cougars had RBIs in the contest, including second baseman Valerie McCoy, who led SIUE with two hits.

The second game, however, was a different story.

The Lady Cougars were shut out for just the second time all season as the Norse won 5-0.

Young started the game for the Lady Cougars, giving up one earned run.

The Lady Cougars were held to two hits, by far their lowest output of the season.

SIUE will now take its 19-9 overall record to Jefferson City, Mo., to take on Lincoln University Tuesday, a doubleheader Montgomery is not taking lightly.

"They're not great," Montgomery said. "But neither was Indy or Northern Kentucky."

The day-night doubleheader will start at 5 p.m. in Jefferson City, Mo. SIUE will continue conference play Saturday with a doubleheader against the University of Missouri-St. Louis at home.