Leathernecks Clutch on Wednesday

MACOMB, Ill. - The Braves and Leathernecks met for the fourth time this season on Wednesday on a beautiful day at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. A back-and-forth affair was clinched when Anthony Kaskadden drilled one over the left field wall to put the Purple & Gold up 6-4 and Beau Below (2-1) recorded the final three outs for the victory. The two teams split the season series.

Dustin Hunter took the hill for Western to begin the game and danced out of two bases loaded jams in his first three innings to keep the Braves scoreless for three innings.

Austin Cowen started the second inning with a single to center field. Matt Igara drove in his 18th RBI with a double to left center. Kaskadden continued the scoring with a rope up the middle to plate Igara.

Bradley answered in the fourth with a run thanks to three walks, a wild pitch and one Leatherneck error.

However, the Purple Army regained the advantage with a run in the bottom of the frame. Kaskadden singled and came around to score when the Bradley left fielder was unable to handle a Tyler Baratono single.

The comeback attempt began in the seventh for the Braves and eventually took the lead with three runs in the inning. Bradley was able to score those runs on just one hit.

Baratono led off the bottom of the seventh inning with his third hit of the game and eventually scored on an error on the Braves' shortstop that bounced into center field.

Kaskadden put the Leathernecks on top with a two-run shot to left field.

Below, who entered in the eighth, locked the ninth inning for his second victory of the season.

Hunter went 3.2 innings allowing one earned run, walked five and allowed three hits. Gabe Long and Travis Pedersen followed out of the bullpen and Pedersen went 2.1 innings without allowing a run. Garret Bolt and Ryan Wachholder pitched the next inning before Below entered to go 2.o innings and did not allow a hit.

Kaskadden drove in three runs with his 3-for-4 performance and also scored two runs. Baratono collected his first multi-hit game of his career as he went 3-for-4. Igara drove in a run on two hits.

Tory Doerr went 6.2 innings for the Braves allowing nine hits and two earned runs. Danny Gifford (3-3) was saddled with the loss as he went 1.1 innings and allowed the two-run big fly to Kaskadden.

Rob Elliott went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the offensive attack for the Leathernecks.

Western Illinois will resume Summit League play this weekend as Oral Roberts will travel to Macomb, Ill. for four games.

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Players Mentioned

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

#20 Beau Below: RHP; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

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

#27 Dustin Hunter: RHP; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

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

#14 Gabe Long: LHP; 5' 11"; Junior; R/L

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

#3 Tyler Baratono: IF; 5' 9"; Redshirt; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

#20 Beau Below
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

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

#27 Dustin Hunter
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

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

#14 Gabe Long
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/L
: LHP

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

#3 Tyler Baratono
: 5' 9"; Redshirt; R/R
: IF