Fighting Leathernecks Drop Tournament Opener

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Western Illinois dropped the opening game of the 2011 Summit League Baseball Championships presented by American Airlines to Oral Roberts 12-0 on Thursday afternoon (May 26) at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Fighting Leathernecks are scheduled to play the loser of South Dakota State/North Dakota State on Friday (May 27) at 11 a.m. in an elimination game.

Dan Dispensa (Chicago, Ill.) started the game with a walk, then used a passed ball and throwing error to advance to third. However, ORU starting pitcher Drew Bowen was able to get a flyball to end the threat, the first of 10 runners Western (21-37 overall) left on base.

Nick Baligod reached on a one-out error in the first inning, then following two singles, a walk and sacrifice fly ORU took a 2-0 lead. TJ Bennett followed with a 3-run homer off the foul pole as the top-seeded Golden Eagles jumped out to a 5-0 lead off Western starter Dan Russell (Henry, Ill.).

In the second Western staged a two-out rally. John Koszulinski (Frankfort, Ill.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later Ryan Cowhey (Orland Park, Ill.) doubled down the left field line. Chris Giglio (Mokena, Ill.) walked to load the bases but a grounder ended the Leathernecks' threat.

ORU (34-20) got a run in the fourth on Bennett's solo homer, then Baligod hit a solo homer in the fifth – part of a two-run inning – to take an 8-0 lead. The Golden Eagles got another run in the sixth then added three more in the seventh to finish off the scoring.

Western threatened again in the sixth when Bryan Jordan (Cincinnati, Ohio) singled to start and Koszulinski walked. However, a double play grounder and comebacker to Bowen ended the threat. The Leathernecks put runners on the corners in the seventh but Bowen recorded one of his seven strikeouts to end the frame.

Russell (6-7) was charged for eight runs on seven hits, but due to four errors only two of the runs were earned. The junior right-hander walked one and struck out two. Brian Loconsole (Carol Stream, Ill.) worked two innings of relief and Tyler Owings (Saline, Mich.) worked a scoreless eighth inning. Six different Leathernecks drew a hit.

Bowen (5-2) walked four as he worked his second complete game of the season. Chris Elder had four hits and Bennett went 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored.

GAME NOTES: The game marked Western's first appearance in the Summit League Tournament since 2008. Only two members of Western's current roster was on that squad – Koszulinski and Chris Fuchs (Pembroke Pines, Fla.)… Western is now 2-3 in shutout games this season… Dispensa drew two walks of the four walks issued in the game… Both teams turned two double plays… Koszulinski threw out his 18th runner trying to steal this season.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#24 Dan Russell: RHP; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#35 Brian Loconsole: RHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#18 Tyler Owings: LHP; 6' 4"; Redshirt; L/L

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#24 Dan Russell
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#35 Brian Loconsole
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#18 Tyler Owings
: 6' 4"; Redshirt; L/L
: LHP