By Nick Gordon, Leatherneck Athletic Communications 

MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois softball team opened Ohio Valley Conference play Monday afternoon with a doubleheader against Southeast Missouri in Marion, Illinois. The Leathernecks dropped a narrow 4–3 decision in the opener before falling 14–2 in five innings in the second game.

Game One: Southeast Missouri 4, Western Illinois 3

Western Illinois struck first in the opening inning. Angie Ortiz doubled to right center to bring home the game's first run and give the Leathernecks a 1–0 lead.

The Leathernecks added to their advantage in the third inning, capitalizing on a defensive error that allowed both Ortiz and Sophia Sanchez to score and extend the Western Illinois lead to 3–0.

Southeast Missouri responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to even the game at 3–3.

The Redhawks later took the lead in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly, which proved to be the game-winning run.

Ortiz led the Leathernecks at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Payton Brown added an RBI double.  

Libby Spaulding went the distance on the mound for Western Illinois, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out three across six innings.

Game Two: Southeast Missouri 14, Western Illinois 2 (5 Innings)

Western Illinois again got off to a strong start in the second game. Maria Luna delivered an RBI single in the first inning to score Ortiz and give the Leathernecks an early 1–0 lead.

Southeast Missouri answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game.

The Leathernecks reclaimed the lead in the second inning when Ortiz lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Alijah Williams to score and make it 2–1.

The Redhawks broke the game open in the third inning with a nine-run frame before adding four more runs in the fourth to extend their lead.

Western Illinois collected six hits in the contest. Alijah Williams, Kam Utendorf, Addie McLaughlin, Ruby Tarr, Hannah Simpson, and Maria Luna each recorded a hit for the Leathernecks.

Audrey Clark took the loss on the mound for Western Illinois.

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