---Rose Broderick fields a grounder during Saturday's doubleheader against SIU Edwardsville.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville combined solid pitching and timely hitting Saturday to sweep a doubleheader from Northern Kentucky University at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

SIUE scored seven times in the first inning of the opener en route to an 8-0 win, and the Cougars completed the sweep with a 9-1 decision in the nightcap. SIUE, the defending NCAA Division II national champion, improved to 39-9 overall. The Cougars are 17-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

NKU dropped to 19-27 overall, 8-16 in the GLVC.

Kaeleigh Rousey ignited SIUE's seven-run first inning Saturday with a two-run double. Kasey Schlafke later added a two-run single in the first inning for the Cougars, who are ranked 22nd nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.

SIUE starter Kaitlin Colosimo allowed just two hits in five innings and struck out eight batters to pick up the win.

In the second game, SIUE scored four times in the sixth and added four more runs in the seventh to defeat NKU. Mallory Ruggles went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in for SIUE, which made its final appearance at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field as a competing member of the GLVC on Saturday. SIUE is moving to NCAA Division I classification next season.

Amanda Smith collected two doubles in the nightcap for NKU, and teammate April Ehlers added a double and RBI.

NKU closes out the season Sunday with a noon doubleheader against Quincy at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field. The Norse have been eliminated from GLVC Tournament contention for the second straight year.

Quincy is 27-17 overall, 11-11 in the GLVC. The Lady Hawks are looking to secure a berth in the GLVC Tournament.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE