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Western Illinois University Athletics

Javin Drake
Sarah Twidwell
0
Western Illinois WIU 0-1
3
Winner Tennessee UT 1-0
Western Illinois WIU
0-1
0
Final
3
Tennessee UT
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Tennessee UT 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 3 4 2

W: Chad Dallas (1-0) L: Drake, Javin (0-1) S: Sean Hunley (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Drop Season Opener at Tennessee, 3-0.

Javin Drake becomes second all-time in strikeouts with 209 in the series opener.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Western Illinois baseball team (0-1) began the 2020 season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) against Tennessee (1-0) and dropped the opener 3-0 on Friday (Feb. 14) afternoon.

"Today was exactly what you expect with two good pitchers going head-to-head on a Friday in college baseball," head coach Andy Pascoe said. "I am very happy with how we competed today, all around. Javin Drake and Chandler Fochs gave us strong efforts. Tennessee just made us pay with two home runs when we fell behind in the count. You have to credit their starter as he put pressure on our hitters by attacking the bottom of the zone from the start. We barreled up some balls that their guys made some good plays on too."

In his last go around in the Purple and Gold, Javin Drake (0-1) picked up right where he left off last season. The right-hander began the game with back-to-back punch outs to become second all-time in strikeouts. He limited the Vols to two hits and two runs while throwing five complete. 

Catcher Jayden Gibson made his collegiate debut one to remember as he recorded both of Western's two hits in the series opener.  Off his bat in the second inning, he collected the Leathernecks first hit of the 2020 season and later singled up the middle in the bottom of the eighth. Gibson also threw out a runner at second in the bottom of the sixth. 

The Volunteers jumped out to an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second and added an insurance run with a leadoff solo shot in the eighth. 

Chandler Fochs came out of the pen and pitched three strong with frames, limiting the Vols to only two hits and a run. 

WIU threatened in the fourth as Drue Galassi reached on an error, but a diving catch on a sinking fly ball resulted in a double play that closed the door on the opportunity. 

Jace Warkentien gets the ball for game two of the series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. 
 
Notes 
  • Javin Drake passed Jim Johnson (1963-66) to become second all-time in strikeouts after striking out the first two batters in the game. He is 28 more away from tying the program record of 237.
  • Luke Schwartz, Toby Allred, Jayden Gibson all made their Leatherneck debuts in the starting lineup and reached base. 
  • The Volunteers defeat Western in the inaugural meeting. 
  • WIU moves to 6-41 all-time versus the SEC. 

 
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