Back in Boyer

After opening its 2018 slate on the road for 12 straight games, Western baseball will make its home debut this weekend.

LIVE STATS

MACOMB, Ill. – After opening its 2018 slate on the road for 12 straight games, the Western Illinois baseball team will make its home debut this weekend.

The Leathernecks welcome North Dakota State to the Alfred D. Boyer Stadium for a single game on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday. Action begins 1 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

Weekend Rotation
RHP Ian Koch | 6.23 ERA, 21.2 IP, 24 H, 15 ER, 9 BB, 18 SO
RHP Ryan Dunne | 5.63 ERA, 24.0 IP, 22 H, 15 ER, 8 BB, 25 SO
RHP Javin Drake | 5.0 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 5 SO

Last Outing
The Leathernecks took on their biggest test of the season in No. 14 Indiana this past Wednesday. Game highlights included Jordan Mikel, Jace Warkentien, J.T. Baksha and Colan Borchers pitching scoreless and Drue Galassi bringing home the Leathernecks' lone run in the 11-1 decision.

Keep It Going
Deion Thompson and Johnathan Fleek have started all 12 games this season, and have been nearly identical in their production. Thompson is batting .256 with 11 hits and a team-high nine RBIs, while Fleek manages a .250 average with 11 hits – four recorded for extra bases with two doubles and two triples.

Consider It Dunne
Ryan Dunne continued his stellar season this past Sunday with a gem against Indiana State. In his previous start, he opened the game with 11 straight outs, and on Sunday (March 11), the senior righty pitched a complete game -- a perfect outing until the sixth inning – in the Leathernecks' 2-0 setback.

Keeping the bases clear, Dunne retired 16 Sycamore hitters before his bid for a perfect game concluded with a single to center field.

Streaks
With the longest tally of the season, Steve McShane is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak and he's only appeared in eight games. He paces the Leathernecks with 13 hits, five doubles, hitting .394 in the leadoff spot.

Scouting the Opposition
The Bison enter conference play with an overall record of 7-9, and recently snapped a four-game winless skid with a 17-4 win over Dickinson State.

Senior infielder Mason Pierzchalski leads the team at the plate with a .356 batting average. He currently manages a team-high 21 hits, including seven doubles, and 16 RBIs. Jayse McLean follows with a .291 average on 16 hits with nine RBIs.

Starters
RHP Jordan Harms | 4.85 ERA, 13.0 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 11 SO
RHP Riley Johnson | 6.75 ERA, 21.1 IP, 23 H, 16 ER, 12 BB, 15 SO
LHP Mitch O'Connor | 7.82 ERA, 12.2 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 8 SO

On Deck
After cancelling its ballgame against St. Ambrose, Western will play host to Maryville Wednesday at 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#34 J.T. Baksha: LHP; 6' 0"; Junior; L/L

#16 Colan Borchers: RHP; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#44 Javin Drake: P; 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#35 Ryan Dunne: P; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#3 Johnathan Fleek: INF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#13 Drue Galassi: OF; 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R

#23 Ian Koch: P; 6' 4"; Junior; R/R

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

#24 Deion Thompson: INF; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

#6 Jace Warkentien: P; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/L

#25 Jordan Mikel: P; 6' 5"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#34 J.T. Baksha
: 6' 0"; Junior; L/L
: LHP

#16 Colan Borchers
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#44 Javin Drake
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#35 Ryan Dunne
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: P

#3 Johnathan Fleek
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#13 Drue Galassi
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#23 Ian Koch
: 6' 4"; Junior; R/R
: P

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

#24 Deion Thompson
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#6 Jace Warkentien
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/L
: P

#25 Jordan Mikel
: 6' 5"; Freshman; R/R
: P