Leathernecks Drop Doubleheader to TTU, Mississippi State

Drue Galassi recorded four hits in the doubleheader, including three for extra-bases

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Western Illinois dropped two games on Saturday at Dudy Noble Field, losing the opener to #14 Texas Tech (3-0) before falling in the nightcap to host Mississippi State (1-1).

Sophomore Drue Galassi finished the day 4-for-7 at the plate with a double, triple and 2-run homer to lead the offense. Ten different Leathernecks recorded a hit on the day.

Texas Tech 13, Western Illinois 5
The Red Raiders took advantage of two first inning errors to plate a pair of unearned runs. A RBI single with two outs from Hunter Hardgrove brought in Tech's first run. Zach Rheams reached on a popup that dropped on the infield for an error and 2-0 lead.

Western tied the game with a two-out hit in the third. Dave Dobrinich singled with one out and took third on CJ Schaeffer's single down the left field line. Schaeffer recorded his second career stolen base to put a pair of runners in scoring position. With two outs, Johnathan Fleek's first hit as a Leatherneck was a single that dropped into shallow center field to plate both runs.

Matthew Sturchio recorded back-to-back strikeouts in the third, however, Tech answered with three runs, all coming on RBI singles with two outs for a 5-2 lead.

The senior right-hander was able to retire the Red Raiders with an inning-ending double play in the fourth and got another double play in the fifth. However, Tech added two more runs in the sixth to make it 7-2.

Mitch Ellis lined a one-out single in the seventh. He scored when Drue Galassi lined a triple to the left field gap.

TTU plated six runs in the seventh to pull away, taking advantage of five hits and two errors.

In the ninth, pinch-hitter Steve McShane drew a two-out walk. Galassi followed by ripping a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence for his first career home run.

The sophomore right fielder finished 2-for-4 with a career-high three RBI. In addition to his first career home run, Galassi recorded his third career triple in 14 career games.

Sturchio (0-1) was charged for six runs (four earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings. He walked four and struck out three. Pete Minella worked 1.2 innings of relief. Connor Rektorski made his WIU debut and pitched a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout.

Michael Davis and Ryan Long had three hits apiece as six Red Raiders recorded a multi-hit game. Ryan Shetter (1-0) gave up two runs on four hits in six innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out six.

Mississippi State 8, Western Illinois 2
The host Bulldogs took advantage of three walks, a wild pitch, and three hits - the last a 2-run single - to take a 5-0 lead after one inning.

Justin Fitzpatrick, in his first start of the year, singled in his first at-bat during the third inning. He stole second and scored when Steve McShane reached on a fielding error by the shortstop that rolled into centerfield.

Galassi lined a leadoff double to right field in the fourth. Austin Emanuel was hit by a pitch and both runners advanced on Chris Tschida's sacrifice bunt. Galassi scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.

The Bulldogs plated two runs in the fourth, one coming on a solo shot by Cole Gordon. A two-out RBI single made it 8-2 after six innings.

Sam Cottingham-Beard pitched two scoreless inning of relief, striking out three. Galassi finished with two of the team's eight hits.

Nate Westfahl (0-1) settled in after a rocky first inning, giving up just three runs over his final five innings of work. He was charged for eight runs on eight hits in six innings with four walks.

Peyton Plumlee (1-0) gave up two runs on four hits in six innings for Mississippi State. He struck out seven without a walk issued. Tanner Poole had three hits while Jake Magnum and Luke Alexander added two hits each.

Western closes out the season-opening weekend with a 12 p.m. game Sunday (Feb. 19) against MSU. The game can be heard on WRSMFM.com, 94.3 FM in Beardstown, and fans can watch the game on ESPN3.com (SEC Network).

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Players Mentioned

#42 Sam Cottingham-Beard: RHP; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

#30 Dave Dobrinich: OF; 5' 11"; Junior; L/L

#38 Justin Fitzpatrick: OF; 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R

#13 Drue Galassi: INF; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman; L/R

#39 Steve McShane: OF; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#26 Pete Minella: LHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/L

#5 CJ Schaeffer Jr.: C; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#2 Matthew Sturchio: P; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#6 Chris Tschida: INF; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#19 Nate Westfahl: P; 6' 2"; Senior; L/L

#10 Mitch Ellis: INF; 6' 1"; Junior; B/R

#15 Connor Rektorski: P; 6' 0"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#42 Sam Cottingham-Beard
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#30 Dave Dobrinich
: 5' 11"; Junior; L/L
: OF

#38 Justin Fitzpatrick
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#13 Drue Galassi
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman; L/R
: INF

#39 Steve McShane
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#26 Pete Minella
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/L
: LHP

#5 CJ Schaeffer Jr.
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#2 Matthew Sturchio
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: P

#6 Chris Tschida
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#19 Nate Westfahl
: 6' 2"; Senior; L/L
: P

#10 Mitch Ellis
: 6' 1"; Junior; B/R
: INF

#15 Connor Rektorski
: 6' 0"; Freshman; R/R
: P