MACOMB, Ill- Western Illinois Baseball put up a fight, but a late homerun from Illinois State proved to be the difference as the Leathernecks fell 5-4 on Thursday afternoon at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.
The Leathernecks (4-9) got off to a solid start, scoring a run in the second inning when Matt Olive crushed a home run to left field. Olive would finish the afternoon going 3-4 with two runs scored. The Leathernecks added another run in the third thanks to a SAC fly from Liam Bushey which scored Paul Osting.Â
Illinois State would take the lead in the fifth with a three-run inning, pushing their lead to 4-2, but WIU answered back in the sixth. After back-to-back singles to start the inning, Kyree Alexander would double to right center coming through with an RBI double. Later in the inning, a SAC fly from Trevor Leon tied things up at 4-4.
On the mound, starter Jorge Romero worked five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out four. The Leathernecks turned to the bullpen in the sixth, but Illinois State was able to manufacture a go-ahead run in the seventh.
WIUÂ had chances late but couldn't capitalize, leaving runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings. Overall, the Leathernecks stranded 11 runners for the game.
The Leathernecks are back in action tomorrow afternoon taking on Illinois State in the final home game of the home and home series against the Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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