ATLANTA, Ga. - The Western Illinois baseball program nearly overcame a seven run deficit in game one but lost in 12 innings to Georgia State. The Panthers took game two as well by a score of 11-5 in the scheduled seven innings. Georgia State improves to 7-0 on the season while the Leathernecks fall to 0-6 on the year.
Game One
Ryan Wachholder got the start in game two of the series and allowed the Panthers to jump out to a 5-0 lead in his four innings of work. Georgia State added two more in the sixth and went into the eighth inning leading 7-0.
The Panthers substituted in seven new players in the top of the inning as their way of calling off the dogs. That is just the motivation that Western needed as they would put two runs on the board. Anthony Kaskadden and Tom Lilja both walked to lead off the inning. Kaskadden and Lilja executed a double steal and two wild pitches allowed the runners to score.
The last chance for the Leathernecks was the top of the ninth inning and they entered the inning trailing by five runs. Jake Moore led off the inning as he reached after being hit by a pitch. Danny Marcuzzo doubled to advance Moore to third. Kaskadden delivered another double to left center and both runners scored. Lilja followed up with an RBI single up the middle allowing Kaskadden to score easily from second. Western now trailed 7-5. Newcomer Matt Igara doubled and drove in Lilja. John Koszulinski was clutch for the Leathernecks and delivered the fifth straight hit and third double of the inning to drive in Igara and the game was tied at seven runs apiece.
Senior Chris Fuchs entered the game and was very impressive and delivered three innings of hitless relief before giving up an RBI single in his fourth inning of work. The teams matched zeros in the tenth and eleventh innings.
Georgia State was able to drive in the winning run on a single to left center.
Kaskadden led the way with two RBI and a stolen base. Lilja, Igara and Marcuzzo all added a hit to the cause. Lilja, Igara and Koszulinski all drove in runs during the rally in the ninth inning.
Fuchs was tagged with the loss to fall to 0-1 on the season. Wachholder was let off the hook but he allowed eight hits and five earned runs in 4.0 innings of work. Brian Loconsole was first out of the bullpen and tossed a scoreless inning. Junior lefty Tyler Owings allowed two runs, one of them earned in his inning of work. Zach Sterling was strong for Western in two innings of work as he struck out three Panthers. Fuchs went 3.1 innings and struck out two hitters but did allow the game-winning base hit.
Game Two
Western Illinois seemed to have turned the corner with that ninth inning rally and looked to seize the momentum.
The Leathernecks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Kaskadden reached first after being hit by a pitch. He advanced to second on a throwing error by the catcher and then stole third. Igara brought Kaskadden home with a sacrifice fly to left field. Ryan Cowhey eventually would draw a bases-loaded walk for the second RBI of the inning.
The Panthers took all of the momentum that the Purple & Gold had with a seven-run inning where GSU strung together six hits.
Western inched closer after Kaskadden was hit by a pitch and stole second before Igara singled and drove in Kaskadden. The Leathernecks trailed 7-3 after four innings of play.
Georgia State tacked on four more runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 11-3.
Western would attempt another late-inning rally. Lilja started the inning with another hit-by-pitch. Igara followed with a single and Koszulinski brought a run in with a double to left field. Austin Cowen matched that with another double and the Leathernecks were now trailing 11-5. The Panthers were able to get the three outs needed to close out the game and pick up the victory.
Igara drove in two runs to lead the offensive attack for Western Illinois. Koszulinski went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Cowen and Cowhey each had an RBI to their name.
Alexander Zarate lasted just 0.2 innings and was replaced by Beau Below after allowing six earned runs on four hits. Below tossed 4.1 innings and allowed five runs, all of them earned. He did strike out four Panthers. Garret Bolt made his second appearance and was sharp with a scoreless inning.
Zarate earns the loss and falls to 0-2 on the season.
The fourth and final game of the series will be on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET in Atlanta, Ga. Dan Rusell will get the call and will make his first start of the season after two relief appearances. He will square off with Panther's starter Charley Olson.
The broadcast will be on Rocky Vision beginning at 11:45 a.m. ET.
