Game 1: Illinois State 11, Western Illinois 2 

The opening game of the doubleheader saw the Leathernecks jump out to the early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Zack Burling drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a ground out. Burling then came around to score on a Neil DeCook RBI single to give WIU the lead.

ISU answered with their first run in the bottom half of the second to tie the game at 1-1. A leadoff walk for the Redbirds and sac bunt put a runner in scoring position. ISU then scored on a sacrifice fly to even the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless third inning, WIU put their second run across in the top of the fourth to go on top 2-1. Brent Turner led the inning off with a single and eventually scored on a dropped third strike to put WIU back out in front.

The Redbirds would not let the lead last for long, however, scoring twice in the fifth and once in the sixth to take the 4-2 lead. The seventh inning then saw ISU bring 14 batters to the plate as the Redbirds scored seven runs to put the game out of reach.

Leatherneck starter Aaron Michel (0-3) took the loss after throwing 5.0 innings with five hits, three runs and two strikeouts.

Dan Savas (5-0) earned his 15th consecutive win on the mound dating back to last season for ISU after throwing 6.0 innings with six strikeouts and two hits allowed.

Game 2: Illinois State 5, Western Illinois 3 

The Redbirds came out firing in game two of the doubleheader, scoring two runs in the top half of the first inning to take the early 2-0 lead. Back-to-back singles and a double in the inning gave the Redbirds the early advantage.

Western battled back in the third, however, scoring three runs to take the 3-2 lead. Burling, DeCook and Jameson Henning all singled for the Leathernecks in three straight at-bats. Jake Moore also hit a double to the wall in right center field for the Purple & Gold's fourth hit of the inning.

Neither team crossed the plate in the fourth or fifth innings before ISU evened the score at 3-3 in the sixth. A Redbird double in the inning and WIU wild pitch contributed to the run that evened the score.

One inning later the Redbirds pushed across two runs to take the 5-3 lead, which held for the final two innings. ISU scored both runs on two hits and took advantage of a wild pitch to go on top for good.

At the plate, DeCook finished game two with three hits, which matches his career high. Burling notched a pair of hits for WIU, while Henning matched his season-high with two RBIs.

On the mound Tyler Willman got the start, throwing 6.0 innings with two strikeouts and six hits allowed. John White (0-1) faced four batters in the seventh and recorded the loss after allowing a pair of runs.

Western opens home play next weekend as the Butler Bulldogs head to Macomb for a three-game set. The opening game is scheduled for Friday (Mar. 21) at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.

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