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Mark Wagner, Little Rock Athletics

Baseball Gets Back To Conference Play With Three-Game Series At SDSU

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks meet up with the Jackrabbits for the only time this weekend.

Who | Western Illinois (3-22, 1-5) vs. South Dakota State (9-15, 3-3)
 
When | Saturday, April 9 (Doubleheader beginning at noon) and Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m.
 
Where | Erv Huether Field (Brookings, S.D.)
 
Watch | Jackrabbits All-Access
 
Listen | Jackrabbits All-Access
 
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH
 
Headlines
  • The Leathernecks are coming off a 15-7 loss on Wednesday to the Illinois State Redbirds. A pair of grand slams helped the Redbirds create separation, but Western Illinois answered with six unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh.
  • Diego Munoz entered the game without a hit all season but had a career day versus the Redbirds. Munoz went 3-3 with a double, home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored. It's the third three-hit performance of his career.
  • Gage Cruz became the second Leatherneck to hit two doubles in one game this season. Cruz is now tied with Kory Olsen and Toby Allred for second on the club in total doubles.
  • Nick Mitchell looks to follow up his Summit League player of the week performance with another big series versus the Jackrabbits. Mitchell extended his hitting streak to five games in Wednesday's loss to Illinois State with a pair of hits, earning his ninth multi-hit game this season. Mitchell also drove in a run for his team-leading 17th RBI of the season.
  • Max Slavens has provided a spark in WIU's nine spot in the lineup over the last three games. Slavens has started the past three at second base after appearing in just one game heading into the North Dakota State Series. In his past three, he has batted 3-7 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.
  • A pair of Leathernecks find themselves top five in batting average and stolen bases in the Summit League. Kory Olsen is second in the conference in average, batting .361, while Mitchell sits at third with a .345 average. Olsen is tied for first in the conference with 12 stolen bases, and Mitchell is tied for third with 10.
  • Jace Warkentien has been a strikeout machine for the pitching staff this season, tied for second in the Summit League with 44 strikeouts. Warkentien is coming off a 10 strikeout performance in his last start versus North Dakota State. It's the third time Warkentien has achieved the mark in a game in his career. 
Scouting the Opponent | South Dakota State enters the series 9-15 overall and 3-3 in Summit League play after a sweeping St. Thomas last weekend. This weekend will serve as SDSU's home opener after their original home opener versus Dakota Wesleyan was postponed on Tuesday. Luka Ira will be the primary weapon to look out for in Brookings, currently leading the team with a .306 batting average, six doubles, six home runs, and 18 RBIs. Ira's six home runs have him tied for second in the conference. The Ira name is very familiar to fans in Macomb. Luke's older sister Emily Ira played softball at Western Illinois and was Summit League Pitcher of the Year in 2017. Pitching-wise, South Dakota State allows the third-highest ERA in the Summit League at 5.47. Ryan Bourassa has been a major weapon out of the Jackrabbits bullpen, allowing 1.75 ERA and a .133 opponent average.
 
Probable Starters | Game one: Jace Warkentien versus Nic McCay | Game two: Chandler Fochs versus Cody Carlson | Game three: Brian Raymond versus Owen Bishop
 
On Deck | Western Illinois battles their second power-five opponent of the season Tuesday (April 12) for a single game matchup versus the Missouri Tigers. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
 
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