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SIUE vs. Lindenwood: A Tale of Two Games
**EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.** — In a thrilling Friday doubleheader of college softball, the **Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)** Cougars and **Lindenwood University** faced off in contrasting contests that left fans on the edge of their seats. In the **nightcap**, SIUE decisively triumphed over Lindenwood 9-1 in five innings, showcasing a potent offense and solid pitching.
Game One: A Nail-Biter
The day began with an intense showdown in which Lindenwood narrowly snatched victory from SIUE with a score of **1-0**. The contest was a pitcher's duel, with Lindwood pitcher **Ryleigh Owens** and her teammate **Avery Swapp** collaborating effectively to silence the Cougar bats. The lone run came in the fifth inning, delivered in dramatic fashion with a **solo home run** by center fielder **Kylee Crowder**.
Game Two: The Cougars Roar Back
Shifting momentum to the second game, SIUE unleashed a barrage of offense. **Emma Henderson**, leading the way, launched a ***two-run homer*** in the third inning that not only thrilled the fans but also marked her **eighth home run** of the season, making her the ***leading home run hitter in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)***. With a remarkable **10 hits**, the Cougars established dominance, scoring in four of the five innings of the matchup.
Key Contributions from the Cougars
Starting with a **two-run double** from **Raegan Duncan** in the bottom of the first, SIUE never looked backed. Following Henderson's phenomenal third-inning blast, the Cougars kept the pressure on with **RBI singles** by **Abby Harvell** and **Danielle Shuey**, pushing the score to 4-1. **Piper Montgomery** added another insurance run with a **fourth-inning single**, and despite getting caught in a rundown shortly after, her clever baserunning allowed **Jenna Little** to cross home plate, extending the lead to 8-1.
The game concluded in style as **Juztyne Torres** drew a walk, advanced on a sacrifice, and then scored after a sharp single by pinch hitter **Gretchen Trello**, sealing the victory for SIUE.
Pitching Highlights
On the mound, **McKayla Anderson** displayed her prowess, tossing a complete game with one strikeout and allowing only six hits, earning her **fourth win** of the season. After Lindenwood's initial score in the top of the first, **Anderson** locked down the offense for the remainder of the game, showcasing the resilience of the Cougars' pitching staff.
What's Next for Both Teams?
With this split decision, both teams are gearing up for the series rubber match scheduled for **Saturday at Cougar Field**, with first pitch set for **2 p.m.** As SIUE improves to **18-13 overall and 9-2 in the OVC**, Lindenwood stands at **14-16 and 5-6**. Both teams will be looking to claim the series victory and gain crucial momentum as the season progresses.
For fans wanting to relive the action, be sure to check out the **photo galleries** from the day's events: [Photo Gallery 1](https://siuecougars.com/galleries/?gallery=1786) and [Photo Gallery 2](https://siuecougars.com/galleries/?gallery=1787).
