MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois baseball hits the road to face the Saint Louis University Bilikens. The Leathernecks are 3-7 currently in their season.  

Last Time Out

Western Illinois Leathernecks closed out their weekend series at Lou St. Amant Field with an 11–7 loss to the ULM Warhawks. WIU jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings behind a two-run homer from Isaiah Monge and RBI hits from Joe Connolly and Paul Osting. After ULM answered with a seven-run fifth inning to swing momentum, the Leathernecks continued to battle at the plate, finishing with 12 hits on the day. Western added a run in the sixth and pushed across two more in the ninth, but the late rally fell short as WIU dropped the series finale on the road.

Experienced Core

A major strength for the Leathernecks heading into the 2026 season is the experience and depth they return across the roster. Western Illinois welcomes back 20 players from last year's squad, including a veteran core that has accumulated valuable innings on the mound, consistent at-bats at the plate, and extensive defensive experience at the collegiate level. That continuity provides a strong foundation as the program looks to build on last season's progress and carry momentum into the spring.

The returners are represented throughout every position group. With familiarity, chemistry, and experience already in place, the Leathernecks are positioned to take the next step in 2026.

OVC Players to Watch

Fifth-year outfielder Liam Bushey headlines the Leathernecks' returning talent after earning All-OVC honors in 2025 as the program's lone returning first- or second-team All-Conference selection. A steady presence in the lineup, Bushey brings proven experience and leadership that will help set the tone offensively for Western Illinois in 2026.

The Leathernecks also earned recognition on the OVC's 2026 Players to Watch list, as sophomore infielder Kenneth Perez and senior right-handed pitcher Max Tripure were both named preseason standouts. Perez solidified himself as a key contributor in the infield last season and continues to make strides at the plate, while Tripure provides a veteran anchor on the mound, giving WIU a reliable and experienced arm to lead the pitching staff.

Keys to Success

Over the last handful of contests, WIU has shown they can manufacture offense (they scored early against ULM and had traffic on the bases), but they've also struggled to sustain pitching consistency and prevent big innings. In order to put themselves in position to win more consistently, the Leathernecks need to limit the long rallies that opponents have been able to string together- particularly late innings. Cutting down on big innings through improved bullpen execution and situational defense will help keep games within reach and avoid momentum swings that have led to expanded deficits. 

On the offensive side, the team has shown flashes of timely hitting and the ability to get on base, but consistency is key. Emphasizing stringing together base hits, aggressive yet smart baserunning, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities with runners in scoring position will turn more close games into wins. Small ball fundamentals- productive outs, advancing runners, and forcing opposing defenses into mistakes-  can be the difference in tight OVC matchups. Maintaining focus in high-leverage situations will be crucial as the Leathernecks navigate the tougher stretch of their schedule.

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