Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Powered by two home runs by Jessica Ryan and a pitching gem by Morgan Brewer, Austin Peay's softball team earned a split in its Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Saturday at Cheryl Holt Field, winning the nightcap 4-2 after dropping the opener 6-2.

Ryan, a redshirt sophomore, broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning with her first home run of the day to give Austin Peay (12-39, 7-22 OVC) a 2-1 lead, then added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on her second home run - which also drove in senior Tiffany Smith, who reached on an infield single.

The two home runs by Ryan tie the school's single-game record and was the third time it has been accomplished.

Brewer, a sophomore, would take it from there as she limited the Cougars (27-28, 18-11 OVC) to five hits - while striking out six and walking three -- with the Lady Govs defeated SIU Edwardsville for the first time in six meetings.

Austin Peay would take its first lead of the day in the third inning in Game 2, when senior Randal Davenport got on with a one-out single, moved to second on a throwing error by the Cougars catcher, and scored on a single to center field by junior Amy Mills.

SIU Edwardsville would tie the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth when they recorded three of their five hits to load the bases, which was followed by a bases-loaded walk to Brianna Fulginiti to force in a run.

The Cougars other run came in the top of the seventh inning, also on a bases-loaded walk, this time to Linsdey Barron after a double, a fielder's choice and a walk loaded the bases.

Brewer and freshman Lauren de Castro also had hits in the win.

In Game 1, SIU Edwardsville scored in each of the first four innings, starting with Chelsea Yankolovich scoring on an illegal pitch by Brewer in the first inning.

Austin Peay would tie the game in the bottom of the inning when redshirt sophomore Shelby Norton got on with a two-out double and scoring from second on an error by SIUE first baseman Kayla Riggs.

The Cougars would retake the lead for good in the second, scoring twice, the first on a throwing error by Mills to allow Riggs to score, with Yankolovich coming in on a wild pitch to make it 3-1.

A home run by Kasey Schlafke would extend the Cougars lead to 4-1 in the third, while the final two runs came in the fourth inning on a throwing error by Norton - scoring Yankolovich - and Barron scoring on a sacrifice fly by Schlafke.

Austin Peay's final run came in the bottom of the seventh inning on a home run by Smith.

The two teams will conclude their series Sunday, 1 p.m., with a single game at Cheryl Holt Field.

Before the game Austin Peay will hold a Senior Day presentation