Cougars defeat Leathernecks, 9-1

MACOMB, Ill.- The Fighting Leatherneck softball team fell to SIU-Edwardsville, 9-1, in five innings at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium on Friday, April 2.

“I think anytime you make changes in your lineup, it takes a little time to adjust,” said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “We have two injured players in Colleen Biebel and Ashley Campbell, so we are trying to get use to playing with some different players in the lineup. We have not lost our focus, but sometimes we worry about things we can't control.”

The Cougars (19-16) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first and never trailed in the contest. Laurie Siebert hit an RBI single down the right-field line for the first run of inning before Lindsey Barron trotted across home plate on a Kamren Ferguson wild pitch. The final two runs were scored on a fielding error by first baseman Jamie Goss.

Western (18-11) battled back in the bottom of the third when Julie DePolo hit a double to the fence with one out in the inning. After a Lauren Furgala foul out, Jamie Goss hit an RBI single down the left-field line to score the Leathernecks only run of the contest.

The Cougars pushed their lead to eight (9-1) in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs on four hits and one error.

Julia Katsaros laid down a bunt in the top of the fifth to rally the Leathernecks, but Western fell short as they lost their third contest in a row.

Western was out hit by five (10-5) in the game and committed two errors. Both team's left four runners stranded on the base paths.

Goss led Western at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI while DePolo added a hit and a run. Lori Pankratz also chipped in a hit.

Ferguson (9-7) took the loss in the circle, throwing six strikeouts and walking two.

The Leathernecks and Cougars were scheduled to play in a doubleheader, but the second contest of the afternoon was called after four and a half innings due to rain. Western was leading 5-2 before the contest was called by the umpires.

Western will be back in action on Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. in a doubleheader contest with Green Bay.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Kamren Ferguson: P; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#8 Lauren Furgala: IF; 5' 3"; Senior; S/R

#25 Julie DePolo: IF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#9 Colleen Biebel: OF; 5' 2"; Junior; L/R

#33 Jamie Goss: IF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#24 Ashley Campbell: OF/P; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#23 Julia Katsaros: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L

Players Mentioned

#22 Kamren Ferguson
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: P

#8 Lauren Furgala
: 5' 3"; Senior; S/R
: IF

#25 Julie DePolo
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#9 Colleen Biebel
: 5' 2"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#33 Jamie Goss
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#24 Ashley Campbell
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF/P

#23 Julia Katsaros
: 5' 3"; Freshman; L/L
: OF