MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois baseball used late-inning dramatics in both of its games to sweep Sunday's twinbill over North Dakota State. Zack Burling scored the game-winning run in the 4-3 opening win after a sacrifice fly from Tanner Glore and hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth in game two to give Western a 9-8 victory. 

The Leathernecks improve to 5-16 on the season and 3-1 in league play for the first time since 2009. NDSU falls to 7-13 on the year and 0-4 in conference play.

“This is a huge day for our program. To get two walk-offs on one day is a huge step because its guys starting to believe a little bit that even if we're out of a game we can come back and do the small things to get us back in,” said head coach Ryan Brownlee. “It's easy to frustrated at the beginning of the year if you're not putting up results but guys kept working and are getting better every game. I told the guys before today's games the team that usually wins on Sunday is the team that has most energy and I thought we had the most energy by far today.”

Game 1: Western Illinois 4, North Dakota State 3

The doubleheader opener was a seven-inning contest that was close until the end. NDSU was able to tie the game late, but Western pulled out the victory in the bottom of the seventh.

The Bison struck first in the game, scoring once in the top of the second to go on top 1-0. A leadoff double for NDSU put a runner in scoring position and the Bison took advantage of a WIU throwing error to take the early lead.

Western did not let the lead last long, however, scoring twice in the bottom of the third to take their first lead of the game. Travis Stafford and Chris Tschida led off the frame with back-to-back singles and both came around to score and give WIU the lead.

After a scoreless fourth, WIU put another run across in the fifth to extend their lead to 3-1. Jameson Henning doubled down the right field line and came around to score on a Neil DeCook RBI single one batter later.

NDSU had an answer in the sixth, scoring twice to tie the game at 3-3. The Bison notched one hit in the inning and took advantage of a WIU error to score both of their runs.

In the bottom of the seventh Burling led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After an intentional walk to DeCook and a double steal, Burling scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly from Glore to shallow right field in which he was able to slide in past the catcher for the win.

On the mound Tom Constand got the start and threw 4.1 innings with one strikeout and one run allowed. Nick Milligan (1-0) recorded his first career win after throwing the final 2.0 innings with one strikeout and one hit allowed.

Tschida ended the game with two hits to go along with his run scored. DeCook finished the contest with a team-best two RBIs.

Game 2: Western Illinois 9, North Dakota State 8

The twinbill finale was a back-and-forth affair that saw five lead changes and a season-high 17 hits for the Purple & Gold.

WIU jumped out to the early 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning after a DeCook single and Glore double into left center field. NDSU answered in the second with a pair of runs to take their first lead of the contest, 2-1.

In the third the Leathernecks added two more runs to re-take the lead. The Purple & Gold then added two more in the fourth inning to go up 5-2. Western notched four total hits in the two innings to take the three-run lead.

NDSU then recorded five runs on four hits in the top of the fifth to go back on top, 7-5. WIU then fought back into the game, scoring once in the bottom of the sixth to make it 7-6. After a Bison run in the top of the seventh, Western added another run in the bottom of the seventh to stay within one run.

In the eighth the Leathernecks tied the game after Henning reached on a fielders choice and scored on a DeCook RBI single.

The Bison put one runner on in the ninth but could not push a run across sending the tied game to the bottom of the ninth. With two outs Tschida, JJ Reimer and Stafford hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. Burling then came up and drove the first pitch he saw into the gap in right center field to give the Leathernecks the doubleheader sweep.

The last time Western won a game on a walk-off was May 10 of last season against North Dakota State at Boyer Stadium. In that game Burling recorded his first career walk-off single to give WIU the victory.

Burling finished game two with a career-high four hits for WIU. Tschida also finished the contest with a career-best four hits. Stafford ended the game with a career-best two RBIs, while Glore also finished with a pair of RBIs.

On the mound Western used seven pitchers, with Tyler Owings (1-0) recording his first win of the season. Owings threw the final inning for the Leathernecks with one strikeout and no hits allowed.

Western now turns its attention to Chicago State as the Leathernecks and Cougars meet Wednesday (April 2) at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

“We just have to continue to keep doing what we're doing right now. The fun part when you starting rolling is you look forward to playing again,” added Brownlee. “You get a good taste in your mouth and you want to keep going so we just need to keep doing what we're doing right now with our upcoming games.”

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