Western Loses Pitchers Duel to Indiana State

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Senior Rich Mascheri went the distance for Western Illinois, however, a second inning sacrifice fly proved to be the difference as the Leathernecks dropped a 1-0 decision to Indiana State in the opening game of the 2012 Bulldog Classic. Western (1-4 overall) dropped its fourth straight game.

Mascheri scattered five hits in his eight innings of work. He got around a jam in the first inning when a pair of errors put runners on the corners, however, Mascheri struck out Kyle Burnam to end the threat.

In the second, Jon Hedges doubled to lead off, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Ryan Walterhouse's sacrifice fly. A key defensive play by Western in the fourth inning kept the Sycamores (1-3) off the scoreboard.

Freshman Brent Turner, making his debut, committed a two-base error on a ball hit by Hedges. Walterhouse lined a two-out single to Turner in left. The freshman's throw home to Manny Reyes was there in plenty of time to retire Hedges to close out the inning.

Mascheri stranded a runner at third base in the seventh then got out of a bases loaded, two-out jam in the eighth inning.

Sycamore starter Dakota Baccus was just a little better on the mound Friday. He gave up a two-out walk to Matt Igara in the first. Igara stole second but was stranded there. In the fifth, Tom Lilja broke up the no-hitter reaching on a bunt single. Danny Marcuzzo followed by getting hit by a pitch to put two runners on and one out.

Turner nearly reached on a bunt single, but was thrown out as the runners advanced. Reyes walked to load the bases but Bacus got a strikeout to end the threat.

Lilja singled in the seventh but was caught stealing to end that inning. Western then went down in order to close out the game.

Mascheri (1-1) allowed five hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter. In 15 innings so far this season, the senior has allowed one run on nine hits and struck out nine.

Bacus (1-1) gave up just the two hits, walked two and struck out nine for his complete game win. Five different Sycamores recorded a base hit in the game.

Western plays against host Alabama A&M in the Classic on Saturday afternoon, scheduled for 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#26 Tom Lilja: IF; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

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

#34 Rich Mascheri: LHP/OF; 5' 10"; Senior; L/L

#23 Brent Turner: IF; 6' 1"; Redshirt; L/R

#8 Manny Reyes: C; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#26 Tom Lilja
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: IF

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

#34 Rich Mascheri
: 5' 10"; Senior; L/L
: LHP/OF

#23 Brent Turner
: 6' 1"; Redshirt; L/R
: IF

#8 Manny Reyes
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: C