Leathernecks Travel to SEMO for Three Game Set

Thursday, March 16, 2023 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

Who | SEMO
Where | Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Capaha Field)
When | Mar. 17-19
Social Media | Instagram & Twitter

A Series of Firsts
For the first time since 2021, the Western Illinois Baseball team won back-to-back games. The Leathernecks took games one and two from the Belmont Bruins. The Leathernecks fell behind early in game one of the three-game series, but a 2-run triple by Nick Mitchell would be the difference maker in the 5-2 victory. The Leathernecks would lead wire to wire in game two as Sammy Contacos would hit a solo shot in the ninth inning to give the needed insurance run in the 6-5 victory. Winning game one and two clinched the first series win for WIU since 2021. It gave WIU their first series win of the season and the first series win under Interim Head Coach Tayler Sheriff.

Award-Winning
Nick Mitchell keeps hitting as the sophomore earns player of the week honors for the second time this season. Mitchell, the driving force for WIU offense, batted .400 (6-15) at the plate this past weekend. The Carmel, Ind. native also produced four runs and two RBIs. Mitchell added four extra-base hits, including two triples, to keep at the top of the Summit League with four. Mitchell was also active on the base paths stealing his fifth base of the season. Mitchell becomes the first Leatherneck to receive player of the week honors twice in the same season since 2019 when Javin Drake and Kevin Raisbeck did it.

Leathernecks To Know
Leathernecks that you need to keep your eyes on this weekend our Jake Allgeyer and J.R. Heavilin. Allgeyer is currently leading the Leathernecks in doubles this season with eight. He is also behind Mitchell in other offensive categories. Allgeyer has reached base safely in 13 of the 16 games he has played in, with eight of those games having multiple base hits. Allgeyer also has walked nine times this season. Heavilin is sitting right behind Allgeyer in batting average, batting .317. Heavilin is also third in hits (19) and RBI (6).

Scouting The Redhawks
Josh Cameron has been the leader of the SEMO Redhawks. Cameron is batting .329 with three home runs, three doubles, and two triples. The Redhawks come into this weekend with a 7-12 record going 5-5 in their first ten games at home. SEMO most recently dropped a midweek game against Missouri State.

Up Next
After this weekend's action, Western Illinois will head to Southern Illinois on Tuesday before traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota, to take on the Tommies for the Summit League opener.

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