OMAHA, Neb. – Tyler Willman's complete game shutout in game two of Sunday's doubleheader helped Western to a twinbill split against the Omaha Mavericks at The Ballpark at Boys Town in Omaha, Neb. UNO took the opener, 7-3, before WIU took game two over the preseason league favorites, 2-0.

Game 1: Omaha 7, Western Illinois 3

The opening game was a seven-inning contest that saw 20 combined hits between the two teams and early runs from both squads. WIU took an early lead but the Mavericks were able to even the score and pull ahead midway through to earn the victory.

After a scoreless first inning the Leathernecks notched three runs in the second to go on top 3-0. Chris Tschida notched his first career double to right center field, which scored Brent Turner and Jake Moore. One batter later Travis Stafford singled up the middle to score Tschida and give WIU the lead.

The Mavericks answered in the bottom of the second with three runs of their own to tie the game at 3-3. UNO recorded back-to-back hits to lead off the bottom of the inning and took advantage of a WIU throwing error to eventually even the score.

UNO took the lead for good in the third after they plated three more runs on four hits and one error. Neither team crossed the plate in the fourth inning before Omaha added their final run in the fifth on a solo home run over the left field wall.

Aaron Michel (2-4) took the loss after throwing 4.1 innings with two strikeouts and three earned runs allowed. Tom Constand threw the final 1.2 innings with one strikeout for the Leathernecks.

Jameson Henning matched his season-high with three hits at the plate, while Moore finished with two hits.

Game 2: Western Illinois 2, Omaha 0

The twinbill finale was a pitchers duel between Willman (2-2) and UNO starter Steven Schoonover (0-1). Willman got the better of Schoonover, throwing a complete game, five-hit shutout to earn his second victory of the season. The righty struck out a season-high five batters for WIU in a career-high nine innings of work.

Willman's nine-inning complete game is the first for a Leatherneck pitcher since Constand threw all nine innings against North Dakota State in the 2013 Summit League Tournament. The last time a WIU pitcher threw a complete game shutout was May 5, 2012 when then-senior Rich Mascheri accomplished the feat against Fort Wayne.

“It was a gritty performance by Tyler Willman and our team in the second game. We didn't play the way we are capable of in the first game but am proud of the way we bounced back in the second game,” said Leatherneck head coach Ryan Brownlee. “Both pitchers were outstanding and there weren't many opportunities for either team. Brent Turner came up with a huge two out RBI and we manufactured the second run on great base running by Tanner Glore. We showed a lot of mental toughness in the second game because we had a couple calls not go our way and we handle it very professionally. We are continuing to grow and mature as a team, which is great to see.”

Neither squad scored a run in the first six innings of game two with the teams combining for just seven hits. The Leathernecks ended the scoring drought in the seventh inning, scoring once to take the 1-0 lead, which held for the rest of the contest.

Moore doubled down the right field line in the seventh for WIU and scored the game's first run after Turner singled up the middle.

After a scoreless eighth, Western pushed across the game's final run in the top of the ninth inning to make it a 2-0 game. Glore singled to center to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a ground out. Glore then stole third and scored on a fielder's choice.

Seven Leathernecks recorded a hit in game two, led by Adam McGinnis who recorded two for the fourth time this season.

The game two victory is Western's first win over the Mavericks in program history and gives WIU a 6-16 overall mark and 4-2 record in league play. The Leathernecks are off to their best start in conference play through six games since the 2007 season when Western started 5-1.

The Purple & Gold will be back in action Wednesday (April 9) as Illinois-Springfield visits Macomb for a single game. First pitch at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium is slated for 3 p.m.