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Mya Knuteson

Leathernecks to Open Home Season vs. Tennessee Tech

| By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Western Illinois will take on the Golden Eagles in a three-game series this weekend.

This Weekend's Schedule:
When |
  • Saturday, March 16 @ 12 PM
  • Saturday, March 16 @ 2 PM
  • Sunday, March 17 @ 12 PM
(All times central)

Who | Tennessee Tech
Where | Mary Ellen McKee Stadium, Macomb, IL / ESPN+ 

About the Golden Eagles:
Tennessee Tech has started the season with a 10-8 record and has won three of their last five games. The Golden Eagles recently opened their OVC season against Southern Indiana and won two of three while only allowing one combined run in their two conference victories. Tennessee Tech consistently uses four pitchers, with four players with over 21 innings pitched. Emily York leads the way with a 1.73 ERA over 36.1 innings. 

Halfway There:
Standing at an 11-13 record, Western is nearly .500 at the halfway point of the 50-game season. The Leathernecks recently went 2-3 on their most recent five-game road trip, grabbing a win in their conference opening season at UT-Martin. After a close loss at Kansas City, Western rebounded with a 3-2 win at Saint Louis. Standing at 1-2 in the OVC, the Leathernecks are in the bottom half of the ten-team conference, tied for sixth with five teams.

Finding Ways to Win: 
Western Illinois is no stranger to pulling out a win through adversity. In their most recent win vs. Saint Louis, the Leathernecks were down 2-0 in the sixth inning, before a two-out rally and three straight clutch hits from freshmen had them ahead, 3-2. Against UT Martin, Western held on to a one-run lead in the final three innings as senior pitcher Emily Price pitched three incredible innings to shut down the Skyhawks. Going back two weeks ago, Western snagged two wins by a score of 1-0, getting game-winning runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. 

A Tough Trio:
WIU pitchers Emily Price, Raven Morrison, and Lillie Wools have all been key factors in these close wins the Leathernecks have pulled out. Price leads the way with 62 strikeouts and a 2.37 ERA with over 62 innings. Morrison holds a 2.70 ERA over 46.2 innings and a 4-2 record with three saves. Wools, a freshman, has a 3.37 ERA, the third-highest mark among qualified freshman pitchers in the OVC. 

Finding a Groove:
The Western Illinois bats have started to find a rhythm in 2024 as coach Alisa Goler has found some consistency in the lineup. Nine players have 38 or more plate appearances, while no one else has more than 21. Of the nine players, seven have posted batting averages above .263. 

OVC Honors:
Leatherneck senior Bella Alvarez picked up Western Illinois' first conference honor of the year on February 26. The corner infielder was tabbed the OVC's Player of the Week after racking up 10 RBIs, two home runs, and two doubles as she batted above .400 in an eight-game stretch. 

Coming Up:
Western Illinois will take on Drake on Tuesday in Des Moines before resuming conference play with a three-game series at Eastern Illinois on March 23rd and 24th. 
 
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