Tyler Willman started the game for Western and recorded the no-decision after throwing six innings with three strikeouts and one earned run allowed. Robbie Nunn (0-1) was handed the loss after throwing 1.1 innings with two earned runs allowed.

"Tyler continues to impress. He made pitches when he needed to and really gave us a chance to win. When we got down we battled back and took a lead and our swings got going, we turned lose today which is nice to see," said head coach Ryan Brownlee. "We scored some runs off of [Brad] Lombard who has had some really good outings up to this point. Late in the game you just have to make plays and finish off innings. That's one thing we've learned from Indiana State, when they have the lead late in the game they finish things off and that's what we've got to get to. For the most part though I'm extremely happy how we battled back. Tomorrow's a new day and I'm excited to see how we come out and get after it."

ISU struck first in the game, scoring in both the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead. The Sycamores capitalized on a throwing error in the first and notched a pair of singles in the third to go ahead early in the game.

The Leathernecks answered in the fifth inning thanks to a Brent Turner two RBI triple to the left center field wall to tie the game. The triple is the first of Turner's career and it drove in both Erik Maki and Travis Stafford to tie the game at 2-2.

The next inning Western took its first lead of the game after Jake Moore hit a solo home run over the center field wall. The round tripper was the first of the season for Moore and the third of his Leatherneck career. It was also the first home run hit by a Leatherneck in 2014.

Western continued its hot hitting in the seventh inning, adding two more runs after Jameson Henning hit a home run over the left field wall to put WIU up 5-2. The shot was the second of Hennings's career.

Indiana State had an answer in the bottom of the frame however, putting four runs across to re-take the lead for good. The Sycamores sent nine to the plate in the inning and recorded three hits, while also taking advantage of an error to go on top.

ISU added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning after Mike Fitzgerald hit a two-run home run over the left field fence to give ISU the 8-5 lead, which would be the final.

Josh Dove (1-0) threw the final 2.1 innings for the Sycamores and recorded the win. The junior struck out one and did not allow a hit in his outing.

The two RBIs for both Turner and Henning are both season-highs. Zack Burling led the Leathernecks on the base paths; stealing two bases to give him a team-best five stolen bases this season.

Indiana State left 11 runners on base while the Purple & Gold stranded five throughout the course of the game.

The series finale will be Monday (Mar. 10) beginning at 11 a.m. (CT). Tom Constand is slated to make the start for the Leathernecks on the mound.

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