MACOMB, Ill. - Randon Lingle turned in a solid pitching
performance, but a 2-run double in the seventh inning by Southern Utah proved
to be the difference as Western Illinois dropped a 2-1 decision Friday
afternoon (May 14) at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. Western fell to 10-33 overall (2-15
Summit League).
Lingle (3-7) gave up just one hit through the first five innings, and erased
that leadoff single by Brock Westphal on a ground ball double play. In the
sixth the Thunderbirds (17-30, 10-10) got a leadoff single from Westphal, but
he was erased on a pickoff play by Lingle to first.
SUU recorded two straight singles before a flyball for the second out. Marcus
Romero singled to load the bases but Lingle struck out Matt Sanford to end the
scoring threat.
Justin Neubauer was just as impressive. In the third, Jared Depenbrock lined a
leadoff double. He advanced to third on a groundout with two outs. Jason Summers lined a two-out RBI single to right field for a 1-0 lead. Western
threatened again in the fourth putting runners on the corners with two outs,
but Southern Utah got a ground ball to end the inning.
In the seventh, Bucky Aona lined a leadoff double then Joe Goldenber was hit by
a pitch. A flyball advanced both runners into scoring position. Westphal lined
a 2-run double down the left field line to gain the lead. Travis Pedersen came
in and shut down the Thunderbirds over the final 2.1 innings.
SUU threatened in the ninth when Taylor Shaw reached on a two-out single.
Westphal lined a shot into the right field gap, but centerfielder Andrew Hagins
made a bare-handed catch off the bounce, fired a relay into Cole Waddell, and
the senior second baseman fired home to Summers in time to retire Shaw at the
plate.
Chris Giglio lined a two-out double in the ninth off Braden Yardley, but the
senior recorded his third save of the season when he struck out Depenbrock to
end the game.
Anthony Kaskadden finished with two hits as did Summers. Rich Mascheri lined a
first inning single to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, second-longest
this season for the Leathernecks.
Lingle was charged for two runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out
four and did not allow a walk. Pedersen allowed two hits and struck out two.
Westphal had four of the Thunderbirds' nine hits. Neubauer (4-4) gave up the
one run on eight hits in 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Yardley struck out three in 2.2 innings.
The series continues on Saturday (May 15), with a doubleheader scheduled for 12
noon. Sunday's finale has been moved up to an 11 a.m. first pitch.
