MANHATTAN, Kan. - Western
Illinois lost a late inning lead in game two, and wound up dropping both ends
of a doubleheader at Kansas State on Sunday afternoon (March 6). The
Leathernecks dropped a 14-7 decision in game one before falling 7-6 in 13
innings during the nightcap. Western dropped to 1-10 on the season while the
Wildcats improved to 9-2.
Nick Martini's RBI single with one out in the 13th inning
completed the four-game sweep, capping a 7-6 win.
In his fourth inning of work, Zach Sterling (0-1) gave up a leadoff single. Beau Below came on in relief. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner
into scoring position then the preseason All-American Martini singled through
the left side for the game-winner.
Down 2-0 after two innings, Western got a run back in its
half of the third. With runners on the corners Dan Dispensa brought home a run on a groundout. The Leathernecks
used the long ball to take the lead in the fourth.
Matt Igara singled
to start then Tom Lilja hit his
second home run of the day, a 2-run blast to left field for a 3-2 lead. Austin Cowen and Danny Marcuzzo followed with back-to-back walks to chase the starter
Levi Schlick. A groundout advanced both runners. Ryan Cowhey hit his first home run as a Leatherneck, using his
3-run homer to put Western ahead 6-2.
KSU scored two in the fifth but sent the game into extras in
the ninth. Jared King lined a RBI single
then Jason King hit a RBI double with two outs to extend the game.
Dan Russell went
seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out
three. Garrett Bolt pitched a
scoreless eighth inning. Sterling was charged for three runs (two earned) in
four innings of work. He walked three and struck out two.
"Dan Russell battled because that's what he does. He was not
intimidated by the swoosh on the front of their jersey. He just said 'This is
who I am, see if you can hit it," said second-year head coach Mike Villano.
Igara led Western with three hits. Cowhey had two hits and
three RBI while Lilja added two hits and drove in two. The Leathernecks were
tied with KSU in hits at 11-all until the game-winner.
Chase Graskewicz had three hits. Martini was one of three
Wildcats with two hits. James Allen pitched five hitless innings of relief,
striking out 10 without a walk allowed.
Kansas State used a nine-run third inning to take control in
a 14-7 win in the opener.
Senior Chris Fuchs
(0-2) made his first start of the season but gave up six runs on three hits and
three walks in two innings of work. Philip
Tolman gave up six runs (three earned) in three innings. Brian Loconsole allowed two runs on
four hits in three innings, striking out three.
Cowen lined a RBI
double in the sixth to put the Leathernecks on the board. Lilja hammered a two-out,
2-run homer in the eighth to make it 12-3. The Wildcats scored two in the
eighth but Western staged a rally in the ninth.
Marcuzzo delivered
a RBI double, then Chris Giglio walked
to load the bases. Dispensa lined a
run-scoring single to center. Anthony
Kaskadden drew a walk to bring home the third run of the frame, all without
an out being recorded. Lilja brought home a run on a fielder's choice for the final
margin.
"The first game was embarrassing, and I thought Chris Fuchs
had good stuff," said Villano. "I am tired of losing and saying we fought them
close. We need to start putting W's next to Western Illinois. I didn't know
what to expect from this team. We just need to continue with the process and
the results will come."
Dispensa, Cowhey and Marcuzzo had two hits each for Western.
Lilja drove in three runs and seven different Leathernecks scored a run.
Four Wildcats had two hits in the game, holding a 15-9 edge
in hits. Justin Lindsey (2-0) gave up a run on four hits in seven innings.
The Leathernecks travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, next
weekend for a three-game series. Western plays host Indiana State on Friday and
Sunday with a game against Western Michigan set for Saturday. Friday's first
pitch against the Sycamores is scheduled for 2 p.m.
