FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Western Illinois is coming off its first series victory last weekend at Southern Utah where the Purple & Gold took three of four from the Thunderbirds. On Friday, Western Illinois swept its first doubleheader of the season as Dan Russell (6-4) led the Leathernecks to a 10-4 victory over IPFW. Western took a closer affair in game two, 8-5.
Game One
The Purple Army got the train rolling early in game one and gave starter Dan Russell all the help he could want. Bryan Jordan doubled in the second before Anthony Kaskadden singled him home. Kaskadden then stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Ryan Cowhey continued his hot hitting with a double to left field and Dan Dispensa singled into center field to plate the third run of the inning.
Jordan collected another double in the fourth and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Kaskadden. An error on the Mastodon shortstop allowed Jordan and Cowhey to score and Dispensa to reach.
The Leathernecks struck again in the sixth with a Chris Giglio big fly that was smacked over the left field wall.
IPFW strung together three hits to collect its first run of the game.
Austin Cowen singled up the middle to start the seventh inning. Matt Igara followed suit and Tom Lilja was hit by a pitch to load the bases. John Koszulinski flew out to right field to score Cowen. Jordan collected another hit as he singled home Igara. Kaskadden notched another sacrifice fly and Western was now up 9-1.
Dispensa put the Leathernecks in double digits with a home run to right field.
IPFW's big inning came in the bottom of the ninth as three runs crossed powered by three hits.
Russell went 8.1 and struck out a career-best nine Mastodons. Gabe Long finished the game and allowed one hit.
Dispensa and Kaskadden both collected two RBI while Jordan turned in a 4-for-5 performance. Koszulinski, Jordan and Giglio all added RBI to the cause.
Game Two
Game two was a back-and-forth affair early and both teams scored in each of its first two at-bats.
Austin Cowen doubled to left center before Matt Igara brought the Leatherneck shortstop around to score.
The Mastodons used a ground out RBI to get on the board in the bottom of the first.
Anthony Kaskadden ran out an infield single in the second before Ryan Cowhey singled to advance Kaskadden to third. Cowhey stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error charged to the IPFW second baseman. Kaskadden scored on the error. Dan Dispensa drove in a run with a single through the right side.
However, IPFW was quick to answer as it put up a three-spot in the bottom of the frame. Four hits led to the runs.
After two innings, the home team led 4-3.
A rain delay put a stop to the game in the top of the third inning. The delay seemed to energize the Leathernecks and the rest of the game was similar to game one.
Tom Lilja started the fifth inning off with his 11th home run of the season, just one shy of matching the single season record. John Koszulinski doubled down the left field line and Jordan collected an RBI with his single into center field. Chris Giglio singled to left center before Dispensa drove in another run with a single. Cowen also singled home a run to put the Leathernecks up 7-4.
IPFW put its fifth run of the game on the board in the sixth and that would be the last time the home team would score.
Cowen drove in Giglio with a single through the right side in the seventh to put the score at 8-5.
Two double plays highlighted the final two innings; both were started by Cowen.
Alexander Zarate (3-4) picks up the victory after going 5.2 innings and collecting two punch outs.
Philip Tolman pitched the final 3.1 innings for his second save of the season.
Cowen was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Dispensa also drove in two runs with his 2-for-5 performance.
Igara, Lilja and Jordan all collected RBI during game two.
The two teams will conclude the series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting 12:30 (CST).
