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JJReimer.jpg
14
Western Illinois WIU 0-1
16
Winner Middle Tennessee MT 3-1
Western Illinois WIU
0-1
14
Final
16
Middle Tennessee MT
3-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0 2 5 3 2 2 0 14 14 3
Middle Tennessee MT 1 4 3 3 1 1 2 1 X 16 14 1

W: Frebis (2-0) L: Constand, Tom (0-1) S: Foriest (2)

4
Western Illinois WIU 0-2
5
Winner Middle Tennessee MT 4-1
Western Illinois WIU
0-2
4
Final
5
Middle Tennessee MT
4-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 5 2
Middle Tennessee MT 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 X 5 7 2

W: Stansberry (1-0) L: Mortillaro, Joe (0-1) S: Alton (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | WIU Athletic Communications

High-Powered Offense Not Enough as Leathernecks Fall in Season Opener

Western Illinois baseball lost both games (16-14/5-4) in its season-opening doubleheader at Middle Tennessee State.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Senior JJ Reimer hit a three-run home run and notched five RBI while freshman J.T. Baksha tallied seven strikeouts over 4.1 scoreless innings in the Leatherneck's season-opening doubleheader against Middle Tennessee State on Sunday (Feb. 22). However, the outstanding performances would not be enough as the Purple and Gold fell 16-14 in game one and 5-4 in game two.

"What we just saw is college baseball. I told the guys that on the bus," said head coach Ryan Brownlee. "It doesn't matter who you're playing, this is how every game is going to be. If you eliminate free bases, keep things simple on the mound, and keep things simple at the plate, you have a chance to compete with anybody."

In game one, the Fighting Leathernecks found themselves trailing 11-2 after four innings with starting pitcher Tom Constand pulled from the game after three innings and six earned runs. The fifth inning started with a leadoff single from centerfielder Brent Turner, followed by a base hit from Chris Tschida and an RBI single from Adam McGinnis, driving in Turner. Then JJ Reimer stepped to the plate and belted a three-run shot, well over the fence in left-center field. 

Colton Pogue would score on an error to cap off a five-run fifth inning, but Western's defense failed to shut down the Blue Raider offense. The final four innings turned into a slugfest that resulted in a 16-14 MTSU victory.

"Any time you're on the road its going to be one or two things that effect the outcome of the game," said coach Brownlee. "In the first game we didn't give ourselves a chance with the amount of free bases we gave up, but I give our offense credit for battling back. We could have tucked our tail and hid after that game got away from us early, but we battled back and it was really nice to see that our guys stayed with it."

The night cap had a more positive start with the Purple and Gold jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third. However, in the bottom half, the Blue Raiders would score three and then two more in the next inning, chasing Joe Mortillaro from his Leatherneck debut. Freshman left-hander, J.T. Baksha would come in relief for Mortillaro. The Oswego, Illinois native would pitch a brilliant 4.1 innings with seven strikeouts, but fail to factor in the decision as Western fell by a score of 5-4.

"We did better at making pitches in the second game," said Brownlee. "Obviously J.T. did an unbelievable job. For a freshman to come in and do what he did is a good example of not needing overpowering stuff. He changed speeds and threw strikes, and didn't walk anyone. MTSU has a pretty good lineup and he (Baksha) made them look bad. I've seen him pitch for long enough in high school that, while you don't expect a freshman to do that, I am not that surprised."

Coach Brownlee and the Leathernecks will look to bounce back in the third and final game of the series tomorrow (Feb. 23) at Reese Smith Field in Murfreesboro. First pitch is schedule for 3 p.m. Live stats and audio will be available at GoLeathernecks.com.
 
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