MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois bats came out swinging as WIU plated five runs in the first three innings before Little Rock took control with seven unanswered runs en route to a 15-7 win on Friday night. WIU moves to 11-31 on the season and 6-13 in Ohio Valley play.
After surrendering a run in the top half of the first inning, Adam Juran got the offense rolling with a leadoff single. Cesar Franco followed, sending a line drive through the right side of the infield as WIU put their first runner in scoring position. Liam Bushey took no time driving Juran in as he flew a ball into the left-center gap for an RBI double. Franco advanced to third on the hit. J.R. Heavilin kept the threat on the basepaths as a pitch hit him to load the bases. Kyree Alexander led WIU with a sacrifice fly that brought in Franco.
WIU's offense stayed quiet in the second inning as Little Rock added a pair of runs in the top half and more in the top of the third, leading 4-2. Western Illinois got their leadoff hitter on base as J.R. Heavilin sent a rocket off the left field wall for a double. A ground out followed by a Chris Hege walk put two runners on base with one out. A fielder's choice prompted the Leathernecks to find a little two-out magic. A single to center field by Trevor Leon started the two-out rally as WIU cut the deficit to one at 4-3. Juran stayed red hot at the plate, lining a ball down the left field line for a two-RBI double as WIU found their way back in front 5-4.
Little Rock blew the game open in the fourth and fifth innings, striking for a combined seven runs as they led 11-5 halfway through. WIU got a run back in the fifth as bright base running on a failed pick-off attempt led to Brock Lummus coming to score.
Western Illinois bats went quiet later in the game as Little Rock added four insurance runs, heading to the bottom of the ninth, ahead 15-6. WIU scratched a run across late. Hege went to the opposite field while driving in Bushey, and WIU fell 15-7.
Three Leathernecks had multi-hit days. Adam Juran had two hits and hit his fourth extra-base hit in the last two games. Cesar Franco and Trevor Leon also had two hits. Chris Hege reached base three times, drawing two walks and a single. J.R. Heavilin was also reached base three times getting hit by two pitches and an RBI single.
Western Illinois and Little Rock continue their three-game series tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Western Illinois Alumni Festivities start at 10:25 a.m. as WIU honors all the players before them.
