The Leathernecks improve to 13-22 overall and 8-6 in league play after the sweep, while IPFW falls to 15-25 overall and 7-7 in the conference.  

Game 1: Western Illinois 3, Fort Wayne 2 

The weekend opener was a seven-inning affair in which the Leathernecks battled back at the end and won on a walk-off walk in the bottom of the seventh. The teams combined for just 10 hits in the pitchers duel with 18 total strikeouts.

Western struck first in the game, scoring in the bottom of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. Jameson Henning doubled to left center in the frame and scored on a wild pitch for the game's first run.

IPFW evened the score in the second after Caleb Fenimore singled to center field to score Greg Kaiser. The Mastodons held WIU scoreless in the bottom of the second and took the lead in the top of the third with another run.

The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless for both teams before the Leathernecks tied the game in the sixth. Neil DeCook led the inning off with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. After advancing to third, DeCook later scored on a double steal for Western to tie the game.

In the seventh Adam McGinnis and Travis Stafford reached after each being hit by a pitch. A wild pitch advanced both runners 90 feet before the Mastodons intentionally walked DeCook to load the bases. Tanner Glore then drew a walk to give the Purple & Gold the walk-off win, 3-2.

On the mound Tyler Willman started for WIU and earned the no-decision after throwing 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts. Nick Milligan (2-0) earned the win after throwing the seventh inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Henning ended the game with two hits for his 27th career multiple-hit game. DeCook's two steals match his career-high from two other occasions.

Game 2: Western Illinois 5, Fort Wayne 4 

Western carried momentum from the opener into game two, scoring early and holding off a late IPFW comeback attempt for the victory.

In the first the Leathernecks put a pair of runs across to take the 2-0 lead. Henning notched a one-out single to left field and moved to second on a Glore walk. Jake Moore then hit his fourth double of the season down the right field line to score both runners.

Western extended its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth after the second and third innings were scoreless. JJ Reimer led off with his second double of the season and scored after Stafford singled to left field.

The Mastodons put their first run across in the top of the fifth to cut into the Leatherneck lead. Back-to-back hits and a ground out gave IPFW their first run of the game.

The bottom of the fifth saw two more runs for the Purple & Gold as they extended the lead to 5-1. Western notched three singles in the inning, including an RBI single from Reimer. McGinnis also scored for WIU after a fielding error from IPFW.

In the sixth IPFW answered with two runs of their own to make the score 5-3. Fort Wayne put two runners on in both the seventh and eighth innings, but the Leathernecks were able to get out of each jam and keep the lead intact.

IPFW led off the ninth inning with a walk and single to put two runners on. A groundout scored one for the Mastodons and made it a one-run game. Tyler Owings was able to get out of the inning, however, recording the final two outs to earn his third save of the season.

Tom Constand (2-6) started for WIU and threw 6.0 innings with six strikeouts in the victory.

Moore and Reimer finished the game with two hits apiece, while Glore scored twice.

The Leathernecks and Mastodons conclude the weekend series Saturday (April 25) with a doubleheader. First pitch at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium is set for noon.

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