MACOMB, IL- The Western Illinois softball team opened its weekend series at the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions by going 1-2 at the Torii Hunter Complex. The Leathernecks fell 5-3 in the opener, responded with an 8-0 shutout in game two, and dropped a tightly contested 4-3 decision in the finale.

Game 1: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 5, Western Illinois 3

Western Illinois struck in the third inning when Ruby Tarr reached on an error, allowing Kam Utendorf to score and tie the game at 1-1. After Pine Bluff regained the lead, the Leathernecks answered in the fifth.

Maria Luna delivered the key swing, doubling to left center to drive in Tarr and Sophia Sanchez and give Western Illinois a 3-2 advantage.

The Golden Lions responded with a three-run sixth inning, capitalizing on timely hits to pull back in front and secure the 5-3 win.

Luna finished with two RBIs, while Sanchez reached base four times and added a stolen base. Audrey Clark started in the circle and struck out five over three innings. Lillie Wools took the loss in relief.

Game 2: Western Illinois 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0 (6 innings)

The Leathernecks bounced back in dominant fashion, scoring in five of six innings en route to an 8-0 victory.

Western Illinois plated three runs in the first, highlighted by Tarr's two-run double and a sacrifice fly from Luna. The offense continued to build cushion throughout the afternoon with RBI doubles from Payton Brown, Sophia Sanchez, Hannah Simpson and Luna.

Brown led the way with two hits and two RBIs, while Luna recorded two doubles and two RBIs. Angie Ortiz added two hits, and Addie McLaughlin scored twice as the Leathernecks totaled 11 hits.

Libby Spaulding was strong in the circle, tossing a six-inning complete-game shutout. She allowed four hits, walked one and struck out eight.

Game 3: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4, Western Illinois 3

Western Illinois again started fast in the finale, scoring twice in the first inning on RBI doubles from Tarr and Luna. The Leathernecks added another run in the second when Utendorf reached on an error, allowing Angie Ortiz to score and make it 3-1.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with two runs in the second and one in the third to take a 4-3 lead. Despite outhitting the Golden Lions 10-5, Western Illinois was unable to capitalize down the stretch.

Ortiz paced the offense with four hits, while Luna added two hits and an RBI. Tarr also contributed an RBI double.

Western Illinois moves to 2-6 on the season following the weekend series and will travel to face Alabama A&M Bulldogs in its next competition.

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