SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Leathernecks were only able to muster one run on five hits and committed four errors on Friday night at Missouri State. Western Illinois dropped to 2-14 on the season after the 9-1 loss at Hammons Field.
Ryan Wachholder started the game for Western and was only able to toss 2.1 innings before exiting.
The visiting Leathernecks started the game off with back-to-back singles from Matt Igara and Dan Dispensa. Austin Cowen bunted the runners over. John Koszulinski drew a walk to load the bases for Bryan Jordan but Jordan was unable to bring in any runs as he struck out looking. The Leathernecks were held hitless for the next four innings.
Missouri State jumped out early with one run in the second and two more in the third inning.
The Bears tacked on two more in the fourth inning and held a 5-0 lead going into the sixth inning.
Western Illinois finally got on the board in the sixth inning. Tom Lilja singled to start the frame. Lilja then stole second before Jordan reached via error on the shortstop. Lilja stood at third after the error and was brought home by a Chris Giglio sacrifice fly.
Missouri State was able to score one in the seventh and three in the eighth to extend its lead to 9-1.
The Purple & Gold loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth but failed to score any runs and Missouri State would improve to 10-8 on the season.
Wachholder was given the loss (0-4) as he allowed three earned runs in his 2.1 innings of work. Philip Tolman was summoned from the bullpen and went 3.2 innings. Travis Pedersen went 1.2 innings before giving way to Tyler Owings who got the final out of the game for the Leathernecks.
Igara went 2-for-4 on the night to improve his average to .343. Dispensa, Lilja and Ryan Cowhey all contributed hits.
Grant Gordon went six strong innings for the win (2-2). He allowed an unearned run on three hits before J.C. Casey came into to pitch the final three innings and record the save.
The Bears were paced offensively by Aaron Conway who had three hits and Kevin Medrano who drove in three runs.
Dan Russell will attempt to improve on his 2-0 record on Saturday against Missouri State at 2 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.
