MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois Baseball opened the 2026 season on the road with a three-game series at University of San Francisco at Benedetti Diamond. The Leathernecks showed resilience throughout the weekend, receiving strong bullpen performances and timely offensive sparks, but ultimately fell in all three contests to begin the year.

Game 1
Western Illinois dropped a 2-0 decision in Friday's season opener. The Leathernecks were limited to four hits, with Paul Osting leading the offense with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double. Joe Connolly and Cordell Coburn added the other WIU hits. San Francisco scored both runs in the second inning, but WIU's pitching staff kept the game within reach the rest of the way. Max Tripure struck out six over three innings, while Karsten Stotlar, Jackson Rodgers, Cade Sonoqui, and Eric Rawlings combined for five innings of two-hit relief. WIU played error-free defense but could not capitalize offensively.

Game 2
In Saturday's first game, the Leathernecks fell 5-4 despite outhitting San Francisco 11-10. WIU broke through in the third inning and mounted a strong rally in the seventh, highlighted by a three-run home run from Isaiah Monge that cut the deficit to one. Monge finished with three RBIs, while Liam Bushey collected two hits and Wandel Campana scored twice. Kenneth Perez also added an RBI. The bullpen effort kept the Leathernecks within striking distance, but the late comeback attempt came up just short.

Game 3
Western Illinois closed the series with a 10-6 loss in the finale of Saturday's doubleheader. The Leathernecks scored in the first inning and added three runs in the eighth as part of a six-run effort. Wandel Campana drove in two runs, while Dante Turgeon and Krayton Morse each recorded an RBI. Liam Bushey reached base four times and scored twice, and Joe Connolly added a hit and stolen base. Despite scoreless relief appearances from JT Fabian and Eric Rawlings, a five-run third inning by San Francisco proved decisive as WIU wrapped up opening weekend play.

The Leathernecks will continue their road trip by facing Akron in Millington Tennessee on February 20-22.

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