MACOMB – Friday's series opener against SEMO was not a must-win game for the Western Illinois baseball team but it was a big one.
Taking on one of the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Leathernecks (13-32 overall, 8-14 in OVC) scored a huge victory, topping the Redhawks 7-5 in Macomb. The victory helps WIU keep pace for a spot in the OVC Tournament.
Jason Buhl (3-8) was strong on the mound, going six innings to get the win. Buhl then turned the game over to Mason Telford and Caden Kratz, who tossed a combined three innings of four-strikeout, no-run ball. Kratz tossed the final two innings, earning his ninth save of the season.
Western Illinois started the scoring as Cesar Franco homered to give the Leathernecks a 1-0 lead.
After SEMO tied the game in the top of the second, Western Illinois responded with four two-out runs in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead, 5-1.
Max Slavens tripled home Brock Lummus and Chris Hege. Adam Juran followed with a double, plating Slavens. After Franco walked, Liam Bushey singled to score Juran. SEMO battled back in the fourth, tying the game, but in the bottom of the inning, the Leathernecks took the lead on Juran's solo home run.
WIU added a single run in the bottom of the fifth as J.R. Heavilin doubled, then used a pair of wild pitches to score. Juran and Bushey each had a pair of hits for the Leathernecks. Slavens and Juran each drove in two runs.
From there, it was all pitching and defense as WIU kept turning away a Redhawk team that left 11 on base. The two teams meet again on Saturday at 1 p.m. It is Senior Day for Western Illinois.
