Western Illinois Comeback Attempt Falls Short

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Western Illinois was able to score in the final three innings of game two with the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday afternoon but the comeback attempt was not enough as the Hawkeyes won the battle 5-4.

The loss will drop the Leathernecks to 4-16 and Iowa will improve to 8-11 on the year.

Zach Sterling was on the hill for Western Illinois for his third start of the season.

Western Illinois threatened in the second inning. Tom Lilja punched a single through the left side but was thrown at second attempting to steal. Dan Dispensa was able to beat out the throw from shortstop for an infield single. Anthony Kaskadden collected the third hit of the inning but Ryan Cowhey struck out looking to end the inning.

Iowa put runs on the board in the second and third innings to jump out to a 2-0 lead over the Leathernecks.

The sixth also offered a chance for the Purple & Gold to put a crooked number on the board. A single from Austin Cowen and a John Koszulinski started the frame. Lilja dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. However, no runs would cross as the next hitter would be retired by the Hawkeyes.

Cowen doubled down the left field line to score Matt Igara after a pitch hit him on the shoulder. The visiting Leathernecks now trailed 2-1 as the game moved into the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Hawkeyes collected three runs in their half of the seventh to answer Western's run.

Lilja started the rally with a single up the middle to start the eighth inning. Dispensa followed with another single. Two fielder's choice ground outs from Ryan Cowhey and Chris Giglio allowed two runs to score in the inning.

Bryan Jordan started the top of the ninth inning with a double down the left field line. Lilja was able to drive him in with a single into center field. That would be as close as Western Illinois would get, as Iowa was able to record the final out and pick up the victory.

Lilja notched three hits on the afternoon and drove in a run to pace the Leatherneck attack and extend his hitting streak to 13 games. Cowen also drove in a run and collected two hits. Jordan and Dispensa also added two hits. Cowhey and Giglio drove in a run apiece.

Sterling (1-2) went 6.0 strong innings and allowed just three hits and two earned runs. Ryan Wachholder, Travis Pedersen and Brian Loconsole combined to throw the final three innings. Loconsole tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Mike McQuillan was strong for the Hawkeyes as he drove in three runs. Zach McCool and Phil Keppler also collected RBI on the afternoon.

Nick Brown (3-1) went 7.0 innings and scattered seven hits and just allowed one run while striking out four Leathernecks. Kevin Lee was called on to replace Brown and faced three batters in the eighth inning but did not record an out and was charged with two earned runs. Tim Fangman tossed the final two innings and picked up the save (1) and did not allow an earned run.

The series will shift to Macomb, Ill. for the third game of the weekend. The home opener for the Leathernecks will begin at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#9 John Koszulinski: C; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#26 Tom Lilja: IF/OF; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#6 Dan Dispensa: OF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R

#4 Anthony Kaskadden: OF; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#15 Bryan Jordan: OF/IF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

#33 Travis Pedersen: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#11 Chris Giglio: IF; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#7 Austin Cowen: IF; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#23 Ryan Cowhey: OF; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

#34 Zach Sterling: RHP; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

#22 Ryan Wachholder: RHP; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#10 Matt Igara: OF; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 John Koszulinski
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: C

#26 Tom Lilja
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: IF/OF

#6 Dan Dispensa
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#4 Anthony Kaskadden
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#15 Bryan Jordan
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: OF/IF

#33 Travis Pedersen
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#11 Chris Giglio
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#7 Austin Cowen
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#23 Ryan Cowhey
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#34 Zach Sterling
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#22 Ryan Wachholder
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#10 Matt Igara
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: OF