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Western Illinois University Athletics

Steve McShane
4
Oral Roberts ORU 17-12, 7-3 Summit
9
Winner Western Illinois WIU 9-18, 7-3 Summit
Oral Roberts ORU
17-12, 7-3 Summit
4
Final
9
Western Illinois WIU
9-18, 7-3 Summit
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Oral Roberts ORU 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 4 10 0
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0 1 3 0 4 1 X 9 10 2

W: Pannell, Jordan (1-1) L: Bryce Howe (2-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Open Series with 9-4 Win over ORU

Steve McShane hit two triples and scored three runs

PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – Freshman Steve McShane hit two triples, one each in the seventh and eighth inning scoring both times, as Western Illinois broke a late tie for a 9-4 victory over Oral Roberts on Friday (April 8).
 
The victory not only snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Golden Eagles, but Western also moved into a tie for first place in the Summit League. The Leathernecks (9-18 overall, 7-3 Summit League) broke open a 4-4 score in the bottom of the seventh, led off by McShane.
 
In a game that saw the wind gust up to and over 40 MPH out to right field, both teams hit tricky fly balls. McShane led off the seventh with a shot down the right field line that dropped inside the line for what turned into his first triple of the season. Roman Visintine hit a shallow fly ball to left that caused problems for ORU (17-12, 7-3), scoring McShane and he was able to advance to second on the throw home. Chris Tschida walked, then both runners stole a base to get into scoring position.
 
Two batters later Mark Garton executed a squeeze bunt to score Visintine. Nick Schrader walked, stole second base and Conner Currier followed with a 2-run double to make it 8-4. McShane tripled with one out in the eighth and he scored on Visintine's sacrifice fly for the final margin.
 
The Golden Eagles threatened early but Aaron Michel was able to work around a bases loaded jam in the second inning getting a flyball to left to end the frame. ORU got three singles to start the third, however, Michel picked off the leadoff batter Nick Rotola and eventually stranded two. The Golden Eagles got a two-out RBI double to strike first during the fourth inning, but Western responded in its half.
 
Colton Pogue doubled to start. He reached third when he beat the tag throw to third on Garton's sacrifice bunt attempt. Pogue tied the game when he scored on Schrader's double play grounder.
 
ORU loaded the bases again in the fifth off a pair of walks and hit batter. Michel worked out of the jam on a fielder's choice groundout to keep the game tied. Western took the lead in the bottom half, starting with a one-out single from Nathan Pollock.
 
McShane and Visintine followed with a walk to load the bases. Tschida took the first pitch from Bryce Howe and drilled it to the centerfield fence and cleared the bases for a 4-1 lead.
 
In the sixth, a RBI groundout from Oral Roberts cut Western's lead in half at 4-2. During the seventh ORU put the leadoff runner on with a fielding error. With one out, Michel just missed inside on a 1-2 pitch to Sam Grellner. Later in the at-bat Grellner hit a game-tying 2-run homer.
 
"To our guys credit we didn't panic at all when they tied it (in the seventh), they kept picking each other up. ORU beat us six times last year, we talked about it this week that it's a mental hurdle for us until you beat them, and we're an improved team," said head coach Ryan Brownlee.
 
McShane became the second Leatherneck freshman to hit two triples in a game this year (joining Drue Galassi) and he scored a season-high three runs. Visintine, who extended his hitting streak to a personal-best 14 games on a third inning double, finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Tschida also added two hits and drove in three runs.
 
"Steve's given us a huge spark in the nine hole (in the batting order). It helps the line-up, it turns everything over. He's got game-changing speed. He can do things offensively that not everyone can do just because the way he can run and put on all kinds of pressure. (Leadhoff hitter) Roman has been great, you have those two guys going it gives you the chance to score runs."
 
Jordan Pannell (1-1) picked up the win in relief, going 2.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Michel was charged for four runs (three earned) in 6.2 innings.
 
"I can't say enough about Aaron and how he's stepped into the Friday role. He's really embraced it and I'm very proud of him. Jordan did a great job closing out the game," said Brownlee. "Days like today it's crazy. You're going to make mistakes, and you hope the other team is going to make some too. Our offensive approach was very good off a very good starter. With Oral Roberts guys they know how to pitch. You have to have a good approach at the plate."
 
Howe (2-2) was charged for five runs on seven hits in six innings. Grellner and Michael Hungate had two hits apiece.
 
The series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday morning (April 9), scheduled to start at 11. Game one can be seen live on ESPN3 (ESPN3.com) or via the Watch ESPN app.
 
 
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