MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois softball team opened its first home series of the year with a win before dropping the final two games against Southern Indiana at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.

Game One: Western Illinois 5, Southern Indiana 3

Western Illinois jumped out to an early lead and held off a late push from Southern Indiana to take the series opener 5–3 on Friday.

The Leathernecks broke through in the first inning with four runs. Kam Utendorf scored the game's first run on a wild pitch before Maria Luna was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home Payton Brown. Later in the inning, Alijah Williams reached on an error that allowed Sophia Sanchez to score, and Addie McLaughlin drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Luna and extend the lead to 4–0.

Western Illinois added to its advantage in the second inning when Brown launched a solo home run to left field, pushing the Leathernecks ahead 5–0.

Southern Indiana added a run in the fourth inning with an RBI groundout before adding two more runs in the fifth on a triple and a double to cut the deficit to 5–3.

Libby Spaulding went the distance for Western Illinois, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out three over seven innings to earn the win.

Game Two: Southern Indiana 4, Western Illinois 2

Southern Indiana evened the series in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday with a 4–2 win.

The Screaming Eagles took the lead in the second inning when Alyssa Mumaw delivered a two-run double to make it 2–0. Southern Indiana added two more runs in the fourth inning on another two-run double to extend the lead to 4–0.

Western Illinois responded in the sixth inning. Payton Brown singled to right field to bring home Angie Ortiz before Ruby Tarr followed with an RBI single to score Kam Utendorf and cut the deficit to 4–2.

The Leathernecks were unable to overcome the 4 run deficit as Southern Indiana held on for the win. 

Lillie Wools took the loss for Western Illinois after allowing two runs in two innings. Audrey Clark pitched the final five innings, allowing two runs while striking out three.

Game Three: Southern Indiana 15, Western Illinois 4 (5 Innings)

Southern Indiana secured the series victory with a 15–4 win in the final game of the series.

The Screaming Eagles scored two runs in the first inning and added two more in the second to take an early lead. Southern Indiana broke the game open in the third inning with a six-run inning to make the score 10-0.

Western Illinois responded in the bottom of the third when Ruby Tarr hit a two-run home run to left field, scoring Kam Utendorf. Maria Luna followed with an RBI single later in the inning to cut the deficit to 10–3.

Southern Indiana added four runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth before the Leathernecks plated their final run when Kennedy Highley delivered an RBI single that scored Payton Brown.

Western Illinois finished with ten hits in the game. Tarr led the way with two hits and two RBIs, while Sanchez also recorded two hits. 

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