On to Tulsa

Thursday, May 02, 2019

The first series against Oral Roberts resulted in a Leatherneck sweep.

Western Illinois (16-26, 10-11) at Oral Roberts (22-18, 13-8)
Date:	May 3-5
Site:	Tulsa, Okla. / J.L. Johnson Stadium
Game Times:	6 p.m., 2 p.m., 1 p.m.

Mirror Setbacks: For the second time in as many games, Western fell a run short of completing the comeback in mirror 8-7 decisions.

The Leathernecks outscored North Dakota State, 5-0, down the stretch in Summit League play and went on a 4-0 run at the end of Wednesday's game at Iowa.

A Dream Realized: Left fielder Steve McShane received the opportunity of a lifetime with an invitation to the Pittsburgh Steelers' mini-camp (April 29). The two-sport student-athlete was a three-time Second Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection who finished his career with 2,375 rushing yards, 1,031 receiving yards and 32 total touchdowns.

On the diamond, he was a First Team All-Summit League selection last season and appeared in 146 career games with a .257 batting average, 35 stolen bases, 111 hits, and 73 runs.

Back-to-Back: For the first time under the direction of head coach Ryan Brownlee, the Leathernecks clinched back-to-back Summit League sweeps in home sets against Oral Roberts (April 5-7) and Purdue Fort Wayne (April 12-13).

Prior to this season's set against WIU, the Golden Eagles had never been swept in league play.

Jace, Javin, Jack: The Leathernecks cemented their rotation midway through the season, and the three are 'Top 10' in several Summit League categories.

Javin Drake
Innings Pitched | 73.2 | 2nd
Strikeouts | 82 | 1st
ERA | 4.40 | 9th
Wins | 4 | 6th

Jace Warkentien
Innings Pitched | 61.2 | 7th
Strikeouts | 58 | 8th

Jack Carberry
Wins | 5 | 3rd
Appearances | 15 | 9th

Drue's Crue: It has never been about the records for the Leatherneck outfielder, but Drue Galassi is on the cusp of joining some elite company.

The junior is currently one shy of tying for ninth all-time in triples and home runs, and five away from doing the same in RBIs. He currently possesses eight, 18 and 93, respectively.

Galassi currently co-leads the Summit League with 37 RBI.

Be First: The Leathernecks are 7-5 on the year when they score in the first inning and have 10 wins when they score first.

Just Javin: Javin Drake has struck out at least five batters in eight of his 12 appearances this year including a career-high 10 against Saint Louis (March 8), Omaha (March 31), and Purdue Fort Wayne (April 13). He currently guides all Summit League pitchers with 82 Ks, sitting 35th in the nation.

Drake also possesses the 8th most strikeouts in WIU single-season history.

Weekly Awards: Western Illinois laid claim to the first teammates to sweep The Summit League's weekly baseball honors this season as Drue Galassi was named Player of the Week and Javin Drake Pitcher of the Week.

The honor marked Drake's second of the season and the Leathernecks' fourth as Kevin Raisbeck was named Player of the Week on Feb. 25.

February 25
Player of the Week: Kevin Raisbeck
March 11
Co-Pitcher of the Week: Javin Drake
April 8
Player of the Week: Drue Galassi
Pitcher of the Week: Javin Drake

They'll Run: The Leathernecks have never been shy on the base paths, and currently lead The Summit League with 51 stolen bases.

Drue Galassi leads the team with 10 while Deion Thompson and Steve McShane are both 9-11. On the opposite side of the equation, catcher CJ Schaeffer Jr. has caught a league-leading 19 runners stealing.

High Kudos: C.J. Schaeffer Jr. was one of 75 catchers nominated by their head coaches for the Buster Posey Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher. Schaeffer led the league with 19 runners caught stealing a year ago and already has a league-leading 17 in 2019.

He is Western's second watch list selection in three seasons and currently The Summit League's lone representation. Former catcher and Chicago White Sox free-agent signee Adam McGinnis was named a semifinalist (1 of 15 nationally) in 2017.

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The first series against Oral Roberts resulted in a Leatherneck sweep.

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