WICHITA, Kan. – Western Illinois split a doubleheader with Wichita State on Wednesday (March 12). The Leathernecks fell in the first game 10-6 before coming back and taking the second 8-4. Western Illinois is now 12-8 this year.

“I thought it was good overall, said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “In the first game we just needed to come through in clutch situations and we got the lead and got a little satisfied. We talked about some things between games. Overall I was really happy with today.”

GAME ONE: WESTERN ILLINOIS 6, WICHITA STATE 10:

Western Illinois fell behind 3-0 early on two doubles and two singles but responded in the top half of the second on a bases loaded two-run double off the bat of Nina Maggio. Maggio's first career double cut the lead to 3-2. After another walk, the Leathernecks loaded the bases again but they were unable to tie up the ballgame.

The Shockers increased their lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the second but Western responded with a big four-run fourth to go in front 6-4. With two outs, Briana Williams singled, advancing Sammy Marshall to second. Teagan Walsh then came through with a double, scoring Marshall. With runners at second and third, Lia Romeo doubled in both Williams and Walsh, giving Western a 5-4 advantage. After a pitching change, Karissa Kouchis followed with a triple to deep right field scoring Romeo.

“We looked at some things and saw Karissa has done well in big situations so we moved her up and gave it a shot," Van Vlymen added. "She's accepted the challenge and she's taken full advantage. We have a group of girls who will do absolutely anything for the team.”

Wichita State began chipping away at the lead with a single run in the bottom half of the fourth before jumping in front after a five-run sixth to take the lead and eventually the ballgame, 10-6.

Walsh, Romeo and Kelly all picked up two hits, collecting six of Western's 12 total hits in the first game.

GAME TWO: WESTERN ILLINOIS 8, WICHITA STATE 5:

After both teams exchanged runs in the first, Wichita State went in front 2-1 on the second of three solo home runs in the game for the Shockers.

The momentum swung back in favor of the Leathernecks after Teagan Walsh reached on an error in the third, Lia Romeo hit a two-run home run to left, putting Western back in front 3-2.

Luck was not on the side of Western Illinois starter Kacyee Hart in the bottom of the third, resulting in a run scoring on a pair of errors and a passed ball.

With the score tied at three, Tierney Bottino and Sammy Marshall led off the inning with back to back singles, setting the table to a Teagan Walsh two-run double. After Romeo reached on an error, Nina Maggio came in to run for Romeo and promptly stole second base. Karissa Kouchis then hit a long sacrifice fly, just missing a home run to score Walsh from third. Megg Kelly then picked up her first RBI since February to give Western a 7-3 lead.

After a solo home run forced Hart out of the game, Walsh came on in relief, shutting the door on the Shocker offense.

The Leathernecks grabbed an insurance run in the seventh on a Kouchis single to take an 8-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh before the Shockers attempted to stage a comeback but only scored once, giving the Leathernecks an 8-5 victory.

Kouchis drove in three runs and both Walsh and Romeo drove in two. Kacyee Hart (5-1) earned the win while Walsh earned her second save of the year.

Western Illinois has two days off before taking on Kansas City and Northern Colorado in the UMKC Tournament. The Leathernecks take on Northern Colorado at 12 p.m. on Saturday (March 15).

“Wichita is a good hitting ballclub and they have some great pitching so games like these are really preparing for Summit League play," Van Vlymen said. "We'll face some teams very similar to this. This weekend we're going  to see some great competition.”