MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Western Illinois dropped the opening game of the Blues City Classic against Northern Iowa 5-0, but erupted offensively in the night cap run-ruling Southest Missouri State in five innings 12-4. The Leathernecks now stand at 4-6.

Northern Iowa 5, Western Illinois 0
February 24 - 12:15 p.m

The Leathernecks matched opponent Northern Iowa in the hits catagory with five, however could not plate a run in the opening game of the tournament.

Freshman Sammy Marshall started the game off with a single to the shortstop then promptly swiped second base. After a catcher error allowed her to move up another 60 feet, she was caught at home via a 6-2 fielder's choice keeping the Leathernecks off the board.

The Panthers came alive in the bottom of the first inning. After a lead off walk and single, starting pitcher Kelsey Michelini gave up a two-run homerun. Hailey Bickford closed out the inning on the mound, but UNI came away with a five run half inning.

UNI's defense took over from there allowing just three Leatherneck hits during the following innings. Michelini (3-2) was tagged with the loss allowing five hits, two walks and five earned runs. Bickford recorded seven strikeouts in relief holding the Panther bats to two hits in her 4.2 innings pitched.

Marshall led the Leathernecks in offensive production going 2-for-3 at the plate with a stolen base. Lia Romeo, Teagan Walsh and Ashely Campbell each recorded one hit.

Western Illinois 12, Southeast Missouri State 4 (5 innings)
February 24 - 7 p.m.

After allowing opponent Southeast Missouri State to tally two runs in the top of the first, the Leathernecks got hot at the plate scoring three in the first, three in the second, two in the third, three in the fourth and one in the fifth that forced the first run-rule victory of the season, 12-4.

In the bottom of the first, Marshall reached via a bunt single and motored to second and again to third, recording two stolen bases. After Goss reached on a hit by pitch, Kelly put down a sacrifice squeeze plating Marshall. Two Redhawk throwing errors on the play allowed Goss to come home and Kelly to advance to third. Emma Jarrell singled through the left side to bring Kelly in to take the 3-2 lead.

Campbell smacked a double off the centerfield wall to start the top of the second for the Leathernecks and moved over to third on another bunt single by Marshall. The speed of Marshall stealing second forced two Redhawk throwing errors allowing both to score. KC Dunne singled and stole second to keep the momentum going, and Goss brought her in to make it 6-2 Western Illinois.

In the third, Campbell smashed a two-run homer over the left center wall, her first homerun of the 2012 season. Jarrell scored on the play after drawing a lead off walk.

Goss led the fourth inning off with a single to right and was driven in via a two-run shot over the left field wall by Kelly, her first homerun of the season. Walsh doubled to left field forcing a Redhawk pitching change. After moving up 60 feet on a wild pitch, Walsh scored on a Lia Romeo sacrifice fly to deep right putting the Leathernecks up 11-4.

Marshall recorded her fourth hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth and advanced to third on an Alex Pflieger sacrifice bunt. Goss plated Marshall triggering the eight-run rule and putting a 12-4, five inning win in the books.

Western Illinois out-hit Southeast Missouri 12 to six. Marshall went 4-for-4 in the nightcap bringing her season average to .512. Her three stolen bases tied the Blues City Classic single game record.

Campbell recorded two doubles, a two-run homerun and two RBI. Kelly was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, earning the second two-run homerun of the game. Goss also tallied two RBI going 2-for-3.

Bickford (1-4) recorded her first win of the season pitching four innings. She struck out two, walked one and did not give up an earned run. Michelini added a scoreless final inning in relief.

The Leathernecks are back on the field for day two of the Memphis City Blues Classic Saturday (Feb. 25). Game one against Miami of Ohio has a 11:15 a.m. start time and game two against host Memphis follows at 1:30 p.m. Live stats are available for each game at www.gotigersgo.com.

#WIUAthletics