By Emma Hicken, Leatherneck Athletic Communications

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois baseball hits the road to face the Virginia Military Institute Keydets. The Leathernecks are 4-7 right now in their season.  

Last Time Out

The Western Illinois Leathernecks baseball earned a 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Saint Louis Billikens baseball on the road. Liam Bushey provided the decisive swing in the 10th inning with a solo home run to right center, while Eric Rawlings secured the win with three hitless innings of relief and four strikeouts. Joe Connolly led the Leathernecks offensively with three hits, and Cordell Coburn added an RBI double as WIU finished with eight hits in the tightly contested matchup.

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, 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. 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 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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