MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois baseball team kept its postseason hopes alive Thursday (May 19) with a much-needed win in game one of its series against Omaha. The 12-7 victory proceeded a 7-1 loss.  

The Leathernecks are in a battle with South Dakota State for the final spot in the Summit League Tournament. Both currently have seven league wins, and with two more games remaining on their regular-season schedules, Western will need one more win than SDSU to clinch.

Western Illinois 12, Omaha 7

Western has posted 10 or more runs in four games this season, and two of its best offensive productions were against the Mavericks. Thursday's series opener was revenge for the heartbreaking 15-13 loss suffered on May 2.

The Leathernecks were determined to maintain their advantage this time, and after jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, they never looked back. Jace Warkentien kept Western's momentum going by dealing a no-hitter through 5.1 frames.

He pitched eight complete for a stat line of five hits, three runs, and three strikeouts, and while he was exceptional from the mound, his teammates notched a star performance at the plate. Alex Dorethy went 3-for-5 and cranked his first home run of the year in the sixth inning; the 3-RBI shot to left field was one of Western's 12 hits.

Omaha 7, Western Illinois 1 

The Leathernecks didn't fare as well in game two, where it was outhit 7-2, on the way to the 7-1 setback. Trenton Bauer used a solo homer to even the score at 1-all at the end of the first, and the team's last chance at a base runner was recorded in the third inning.

Jayden Maifeld pitched a complete game for the Mavericks, while Brett Sears received the starting nod for the Leathernecks. He went five innings for six hits and two runs, fanning five.

The series continues Friday at 3 p.m.