PEORIA, Ill. -
Western Illinois handed Bradley its first home loss of the season on Saturday
afternoon. The Leathernecks pounded out 15 hits and scored 10 runs in the 10-3
victory to collect their sixth victory of the season.
Zach Sterling (3-2) got the start for Western Illinois and
was impressive, holding Bradley to three unearned runs on five hits. The Purple & Gold
also took advantage of five Braves' errors.
Bryan Jordan singled up the middle to start the second
inning. Anthony Kaskadden did the same and an error on the center fielder
allowed Jordan to score and Kaskadden to advance to second. Ryan Cowhey
continues his hot streak with RBI-double to plate Kaskadden.
Bradley answered with two in the bottom of the third inning
to tie it up. Errors by Sterling and Jordan allowed the two runs to cross.
Cowhey walked in the fifth inning and eventually stole
second base to put himself in scoring position. Bradley catcher, Derek Sprout,
overthrew the bag on the stolen base and allowed Cowhey to move over to third
base. The Leatherneck left fielder scored on a wild pitch and Western was up
3-2 in as the game approached the sixth inning.
A three-base error charge to Matt Igara allowed Jason
Leblebijian to stand on third and he eventually scored on a wild pitch.
The Purple Army broke the game open in the seventh and
eighth innings. Four consecutive hits in the seventh inning powered the rally.
The crooked number was highlighted by two-RBI from Austin Cowen.
John Koszulinski drove in Igara after he had doubled with a
single of his own. Jordan doubled and the Leathernecks were winning after eight
innings.
Sterling was relieved after 6.0 innings and his Leatherneck
career high, eight strikeouts. Ryan Wachholder locked down the final three
innings to pick up the save, the first of his career.
The Leathernecks returned to the brand of baseball it wants
to play as the schedule turns to Summit League play as they stole six bases and
drew five walks.
Koszulinski drove in two runs and went 3-for-6 on the
afternoon. The catcher also scored two runs. Cowen went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Kaskadden also drove in two runs with his 2-for-3 performance. Igara, Jordan
and Cowhey all added RBI to the attack. Dispensa contributed two hits and stile
his sixth base of the season.
Western Illinois and Bradley will conclude the weekend
series on Sunday at 1 p.m. with Beau Below toeing the rubber for the
Leathernecks. Be sure to tune in the broadcast on Rocky Vision beginning at
12:45 p.m.
