TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Western Illinois baseball lost the first neutral site game of the season to Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon, 11-4. The Broncos jumped out early and never looked back and improve to 7-8 on the season as the Leathernecks will drop to 1-12.
Western Michigan struck first with two in the second inning and knocked starting pitcher Dustin Hunter out of the game.
The Broncos put three more on the board in the fourth inning and held a five run lead as the game went into the fifth inning.
Tom Lilja started the fifth with a single and Austin Cowen followed with a walk. Bryan Jordan grounded into a fielder's choice and the Broncos were able to cut down Lilja at third base. John Koszulinski walked to load the bases for Danny Marcuzzo. Marcuzzo delivered a two-out two-RBI single to put the Leathernecks on the board.
Western Michigan broke the game open with a five-spot in the seventh inning and extended the lead to 10-2.
Western Illinois was able to put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a RBI from Jake Moore and Marcuzzo.
The Broncos added a late run in the ninth inning and that would be the final score of the day, 11-4.
Dustin Hunter falls to 0-3 on the season after he went 1.2 innings and allowed two unearned runs while striking out four Broncos.
Chris Fuchs appeared in relief and went 4.1 innings and allowed five earned runs.
Brian Loconsole tossed an inning before Travis Pedersen threw the final two innings.
Marcuzzo lead the offense with 2-for-4 day and three RBI. Moore also had two hits and drove in a run. Jordan found his swing again after returning to action after sitting out since the Samford series due to injury. Jordan went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Dan Dispensa, Matt Igara, Lilja and Koszulinski all added hits on the afternoon.
Brian Stroud was impressive for WMU as he went 6.2 innings allowing four runs and setting down seven Leathernecks via the strikeout and picked up his third win of the season. Patrick Borlick tossed the final 2.1 innings and did not allow a run.
Jack Scanlon and Ryan McMillin both drove in two runs to lead the offensive attack for the Broncos.
Dan Russell will take the mound on Sunday against Indiana State. The final game from Terre Haute for Western Illinois will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET and the radio broadcast will begin 15 minutes prior on Rocky Vision.
