MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois dropped a back-and-forth contest to Bradley, 6-5, on Tuesday afternoon at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.

The Leathernecks came out strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. Payton Brown sparked the offense with an RBI double to left center, scoring Addie McLaughlin, before Sophia Sanchez drove in Brown to make it 2-0.

Western Illinois added another in the second in unconventional fashion, as Raegan Boone stole home during a rundown to extend the lead to 3-0.

Bradley broke through in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a three-run home run from Morgan Schlosser to even the score at 3-3.

The Leathernecks responded in the sixth when RyLee German launched a solo home run to center field to reclaim the lead.

The Braves answered in the top of the seventh. A two-RBI double from Austin Comstock gave Bradley its first lead of the day at 5-4, and an RBI single from Brynna Seitz pushed the lead to 6-4.

Western Illinois mounted a late push in the bottom half of the inning. Maria Luna delivered an RBI single to bring the Leathernecks within one, but the Leathernecks were unable to bring the tying run home.

Libby Spaulding turned in a strong start in the circle, allowing just one earned run across six innings.

Western Illinois will look to bounce back as it returns to conference play against Lindenwood this weekend. 

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