ATLANTA, Ga. - Dan Dispensa (Chicago, IL) and Ryan Cowhey (Orland Park, IL) had three hits each to support the strong starting pitching performance from Dan Russell (Henry, IL) as Western Illinois Baseball took the finale at Georgia State 8-2 on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 27). The Leathernecks picked up their first win of the 20011 campaign (1-6 overall).
Western took advantage of five Panther errors (7-1), striking first in the third inning. Dispensa lined a one-out single, stole second with two outs and scored on Matt Igara's (Algonquin, IL) RBI double.
Danny Marcuzzo (Omaha, NE) slammed a solo homer in the fourth, his first as a Leatherneck, and Western took a 4-0 lead scoring twice in the fifth.
Tyler Baratono (Allen Park, MI) walked to start then Dispensa singled. Tom Lilja (Mokena, IL) reached when pitcher Charley Olson could not handle the bunt attempt to load the bases. After two fielder's choice plays recorded an out at home, Austin Cowen (Gillette, WY) came through with a clutch 2-run single.
Georgia State got a run back in its fifth and seventh inning. Russell, making his first start, worked six strong innings before giving way to the bullpen. Philip Tolman (Allendale, MI) gave up an unearned run, Gabe Long (Des Moines, IA) pitched a scoreless frame and Zach Sterling (Lima, OH) gave up a hit in two innings of work, keeping the Panthers in check.
The offense blew the game open in the ninth. Dispensa walked then Lilja was hit by a pitch. Both advanced on an error then Igara was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After another force out at home, Cowen reached on an error by the third baseman that allowed two runs to score. Jake Moore (Romeo, MI) scored on a wild pitch and Cowen scored on a on a fielder's choice.
Dispensa matched a career-high of three hits while Cowhey recorded a season-high hits. Cowen drove in two runs.
"Dan Russell was spectacular today and gave us a chance to win. Everybody did their job and that's what we need to do to continue to win ballgames," said head coach Mike Villano.
Russell (1-0) struck out five and scattered five hits in six innings. Sterling fanned two to pick up his first save as a Leatherneck.
Olson (1-1) gave up four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. Sam Agnew-Wieland struck out five in 3.1 innings of relief. Two Panthers had two hits apiece as Western out-hit Georgia State 9-8.
Western returns to action this Friday (March 4) to begin a four-game series at Kansas State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and can be heard live on GoLeathernecks.com.
