Box Score IOWA CITY, Iowa - Fighting Leatherneck baseball used extra innings Tuesday (April 15) to defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 8-6, in Iowa City. The Leathernecks defeated the Hawkeyes in 10 innings for their first extra inning victory this season. Western improves to 10-19 overall, while Iowa falls to 20-14 on the year.
After the Hawkeyes capitalized on a throwing error to tie the game in the ninth, Tanner Glore recorded a two-out, two RBI single in the 10th to put WIU on top for good. Glore finished the game with a career-high three RBIs, four hits and two runs scored.
“This was a huge win for the program and our guys. We were able to carry over the momentum from the weekend and win a wild game against an Iowa team that has been playing very good as of late,” said head coach Ryan Brownlee. “We got contributions up and down the lineup and on the mound. I can't say enough about our guys and how they have been working and getting better each game. For us to lose the lead and come back and score two runs with two outs is unbelievable and shows the guys buying in and getting better every day.”
Neil DeCook went 3-for-4 for his third three-hit performance in the last five games. Adam McGinnis and Jameson Henning each recorded two hits apiece for the Leathernecks at the plate.
After a scoreless first inning the Hawkeyes struck in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs to take the early 2-0 lead. Iowa recorded a pair of singles in the inning and took advantage of a WIU throwing error to put the game's first two runs across.
The next two innings would be scoreless before the Purple & Gold put five runs across in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Western recorded four hits and capitalized on four Hawkeye errors in the frame to take the lead. DeCook hit his team-best sixth double of the season in the inning and Zack Burling scored his 18th run of the year.
Iowa threatened in the sixth, putting two runners on but the Leathernecks were able to get out of the jam without surrendering a run. In the seventh Glore drew a leadoff walk and scored from first on Jake Moore's third double of the season to put WIU up 6-2.
The Hawkeyes ended their four-inning scoring drought in the seventh, putting three runs across to make it a one-run game. Iowa loaded the bases on three consecutive hit batters and scored their runs on a sacrifice fly, single and double.
The Leathernecks took a 6-5 lead to the ninth inning but the Hawkeyes managed to put a run across to tie the game at 6-6. Iowa led the inning off with a pair of singles and scored the game-tying run on a Leatherneck throwing error with two outs in the inning. DeCook threw out an Iowa runner at the plate to send the game to extras.
In the 10th McGinnis led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Burling and DeCook both reached after each being hit by pitches to load the bases. With two outs Glore then came to the plate and hit a two RBI single to right field to give WIU the 8-6 lead.
Robbie Nunn came in for the Leathernecks in the bottom of the 10th and retired the Hawkeyes in order for his first career save.
“I'm really happy for Robbie. He's a guy that's never been put into a save situation before,” added Brownlee. “He came in and really controlled the last inning and it looked like he was a veteran out there even though he's a redshirt-freshman.”
Tom Constand started for the Leathernecks and threw 5.2 innings with five hits allowed and three strikeouts in the no-decision. Tyler Owings (2-1) recorded the win after throwing 1.1 innings with one strikeout.
The win marks the first for Brownlee over Iowa, where he spent nine seasons as an assistant prior to Western Illinois.
The Leathernecks continue their road swing this weekend with a four-game conference set in Fargo, N.D. Western and North Dakota State meet at Newman Outdoor Field beginning Friday (April 18).
#WIUAthletics
#WIU_Baseball