EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Softball dropped both games of its doubleheader at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Sunday, coming up just short 3-2 in the first game before a 7-1 decision in game two.
 
USI Softball (13-25, 10-11 OVC) scored first in each game on Sunday, but could not sustain momentum as SIUE (22-24, 13-8 OVC) answered with a comeback in both contests.
 
The Screaming Eagles began the day striking first with a run in the top of the first inning of game one. Following a pair of one-out singles, junior catcher Alyssa Mumaw drove in freshman outfielder Katelyn Marx to give USI a 1-0 lead. However, SIUE quickly answered with two runs in the home half of the first to take a 2-1 advantage.
 
After both starting pitchers settled into the game, USI freshman pitcher Elly Robbins and SIUE's Mia Volpert kept the game scoreless over the next three innings until the fifth inning.
 
In the top of the fifth, USI equalized the score on a sac fly from Mumaw to knot it up, 2-2. Once again, the Cougars had a response and retook the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the fifth. SIUE held on the rest of the way.
 
At the plate, Mumaw finished with two RBIs. Marx had three hits, while senior outfielder Caroline Stapleton had two hits, as the top two in the batting order combined for half of the team's 10 hits.
 
Robbins (5-8) was charged with the loss after 4.1 innings of work with three strikeouts and three runs allowed. Freshman pitcher Mia Kiegel struck out two in 1.2 innings in relief.
 
SIUE's Volpert took a no-decision, giving up two runs in four innings. Kiana Villa (5-1) was credited with the win following three scoreless innings in relief.
 
Game two started with two scoreless frames before USI got on the board first with a bases-loaded walk by junior infielder Sydney Long. However, USI was held scoreless for the remainder of the ballgame.
 
SIUE answered USI's third-inning run with four runs in the bottom of the third before adding two more in the fourth and a single run in the sixth.
 
The Screaming Eagles totaled seven hits in game two, with Stapleton going 3-3 and sophomore first baseman Lilly Brown going 2-2.
 
USI sophomore pitcher Kylie Witthaus (3-8) took the loss, striking out three and allowing four runs in 2.1 innings. Freshman pitcher Anna Kemp finished the final 3.2 innings, surrendering three runs, but only two were earned.
 
The Cougars used three pitchers in game two. Starting pitcher Avery Arwood (8-6) picked up the win with one run allowed in five innings pitched.
 
The Screaming Eagles return home to USI Softball Field next weekend for their final regular-season home series and Senior Weekend, as USI hosts Eastern Illinois University. The series can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription. Additional coverage and live stat links are available on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.