TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Tom Lilja hit his team-leading fourth home run and John Koszulinski drove in five runs to support Dan Russell's stellar pitching performance as Western Illinois took the finale from Indiana State 10-6 on Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Leathernecks improved to 2-12 overall.
Down 1-0 heading into the fourth Austin Cowen singled up the middle to start the frame. After Bryan Jordan's sacrifice bunt, Lilja sent a 2-0 pitch over the left field fence to take the lead for good.
Russell kept the Sycamores in check giving up one run on six hits (only one extra-base hit) in seven innings of work. The offense gave him cushion in the eighth.
Cowen delivered a RBI single to make it 3-1. Jordan dropped another sacrifice bunt and the Sycamores intentionally walked Lilja to load the bases. Dan Dispensa reached on a fielder's choice when ISU got Matt Igara out at the plate. Koszulinski then sent a double to the right field gap that cleared the bases for a 6-1 lead.
The Sycamores (6-9) got a RBI single in the eighth. Western scored four more insurance runs in the ninth, which proved to be needed.
Igara and Cowen hit back-to-back doubles with two outs. Jordan and Lilja walked to load the bases then a run scored on a balk by Chris Machado. Dispensa walked to reload the bases then Koszulinski came through with another clutch hit, this time a 2-run double for a 10-2 lead.
ISU got to Garrett Bolt, who came in for Zach Sterling, in the ninth. Owen Conway got a one-out RBI single, and the Sycamores loaded the bases on two straight walks. Bolt recorded a strikeout for the second out but the junior hit a batter to make it a 10-4 game.
Gabe Long came on in relief and allowed a 2-run single to Robby Ort. Another walk loaded the bases and brought the potential tying run to the plate. Long enticed a groundout to Jordan for a game-ending force out.
Russell improved to 2-0 on the season allowing the one run on six hits. He walked three and struck out six in seven innings of work.
"Dan Russell is fun to watch. He battles and continues to produce for us," said head coach Mike Villano.
Koszulinski, who has battled injuries in recent games, finished 2-for-4 with a season-high five RBI. Igara and Cowen provided a spark at the top of the lineup as the Leathernecks' 1-2 hitters each had three hits. Cowen scored three runs and drove in two. Lilja also scored three times in the win.
"We can go on all day about our injuries but the bottom line is we will to continue to fight all season long," said Villano. "We knew what kind of hitter we were getting in Matt Igara and he is solid for us at the top of the lineup... I'm looking forward to this week. Teams are going to look at our record and think they know what kind of team they are facing. We will keep improving all season."
Sean Manaea (1-1) suffered the loss despite striking out nine in six innings of work. He gave up two runs on four hits with two walks. Ort and Miera had three hits apiece for ISU.
Western will play two midweek games at St. Louis. The Leathernecks will face the Billikens of Saint Louis on Tuesday then play Northern Illinois at the Billikens' stadium on Wednesday.
