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Western Illinois University Athletics

WIU Baseball
3
Western Illinois WIU 3-12
4
Winner Belmont BEL 7-10
Western Illinois WIU
3-12
3
Final
4
Belmont BEL
7-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Western Illinois WIU 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 3 10 0
Belmont BEL 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 X 4 6 0

W: THIELKE, Jett (2-0) L: Howard, Cam (0-1) S: HARDEN, Ethan (2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Fall Short in Series Finale

Leathernecks lose game, win series

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Baseball team fell short of its first series sweep since 2019 on Sunday (Mar. 12) afternoon. The Leathernecks outhit the Belmont Bruins in game three, but a late home run by Belmont would be the difference maker as they would win 4-3.

Pitching out of jams was the name of the game for both teams to start. Western Illinois would load the bases off of a bunt single by Max Slavens and walks by J.R. Heavilin and Ricky Pospisil, but they could not bring them around. Mitchel Sampson took the mound for the Leathernecks. Sampson started the bottom of the first with a strikeout. After having the following two Bruins hitters reach base, Sampson would strike out the side in the first.

The pitching would stay locked in as both teams would produce four scoreless innings. Derek Botaletto led off the fourth inning with a double, but WIU would strand him on second base. The Leathernecks would strike first in the fifth. Nick Mitchell would have his second triple of the series to lead off the fifth. Slavens would bring him around as he would bloop a ball right over the shortstop's head for an RBI single. Belmont would threaten in the bottom of the fifth. The Bruins would load the bases with no outs as Chase Golden would enter the game. The freshman would get a strikeout and back-to-back pop-outs to keep the game at 1-0. 

The Bruins would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth as they would strike for three runs on just two hits. The Leathernecks would respond at the top of the seventh. Mitchell would have a one-out single to get it rolling. He would then steal second base to put himself in a scoring position. Jake Allgeyer would walk to get two runners on the bases. Heavilin would then deliver an RBI double down the right-field line bringing in Mitchell. Ricky Pospisil would then single up the middle to tie the game at three. Heavilin was thrown out at the plate trying to be the go-ahead run. The Bruins would take final control of the game in the eighth with a go-ahead solo home run.

The Leathernecks outhit the Bruins for the third time this series 10-6. Nick Mitchell, Max Slavens, and J.R. Heavilin all had multiple hits. The Leathernecks had four extra-base hits. WIU drew four walks on the afternoon and stole a base.

Mitchell Sampson pitched 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball for the Leathernecks. He let up only two hits well, striking out six. Aron Harrington threw well out of the bullpen. The left-hander pitched 1.2 innings, only allowing one hit and no runs.

Western Illinois returns home for the first time this season as they are set to take on McKendree University on Tuesday (Mar. 14). The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and will be streamed on Leatherneck All-Access.
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