MACOMB, Ill. - Manny Reyes delivered a clutch, two-out RBI single in the eighth inning to propel Western Illinois (8-12) to a 2-1 victory over Bradley (11-11-1) Friday (March 30) at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. The Fighting Leathernecks have now won three straight games, their first such streak since May 8, 2011.
Rich Mascheri delivered a stellar effort for the Fighting
Leathernecks as he allowed one run over six innings. He struck out four Braves
and scattered seven hits.
Dan Russell (2-1) took over for Mascheri in the seventh
inning and tossed three scoreless innings to earn the win. Bradley loaded the
bases with one out in the ninth but Russell induced an infield flyball and struck
out Max Murphy looking to end the game.
Tom Lilja (2-for-4) drove in Western's first run while Ryan Cowhey (1-for-5) singled and stole a base. Cowhey, who has reached base in 15
consecutive games, is 17-for-17 in stolen base attempts this season.
Bradley starter Joe Bircher allowed four hits and one
unearned run over 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four Leathernecks and
walked three. Jacob Booden (1-1) took the loss for the Braves after allowing one run on two hits in the eighth inning.
Western jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Dan
Dispensa reached on an error and Austin Cowen walked to put two runners on for Lilja. Lilja doubled down the left field line to score Dispensa.
Bradley got on the scoreboard with two hits and a walk in
the third inning. Mascheri walked Greg Partyka after retiring the first two
batters. Two consecutive singles scored Partyka and the contest was tied at
1-1.
Western loaded the bases in the third inning but could not
push a runner across against Bircher. Dispensa walked, a pitch hit Matt Igara
and Danny Marcuzzo walked with two outs. However, Mascheri struck out looking
to end the threat.
Lilja singled to lead off the eighth inning and Marcuzzo
sacrificed him to second base. With two outs, Reyes poked a single through the
middle of the infield to score Lilja and Western led 2-1 entering the ninth
inning.
Andrew Wasmund singled to lead off the ninth inning and was
sacrificed to second base. Russell hit Mike Tauchman with a pitch and Jason
Leblebijian reached on Cowhey's error in right field. With one out and the bases loaded, Greg
Partyka popped out to shortstop and Murphy struck out looking to end the game.
The Braves and Leathernecks tussle again at 2 p.m. on
Saturday with Dustin Hunter (2-0, 3.4O ERA) going against Justin Ziegler (1-2,
6,75 ERA).
#WIUAthletics
