MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois celebrated senior day in a big way, pulling away late for an 11-3 run-rule victory over Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.
The Leathernecks (13-29, 8-15 OVC) struck first in the opening inning when Payton Brown lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Addie McLaughlin for the early 1-0 lead. After four scoreless frames, Lindenwood (25-22, 14-10 OVC) evened things up in the fifth, but Western Illinois immediately responded with a game-changing inning.
Western erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Sophia Sanchez drew a bases-loaded walk to give WIU the lead before Maria Luna delivered a two-RBI single down the left field line. Hannah Simpson and Alijah Williams followed with RBI hits, and another run crossed on a wild pitch to cap the six-run surge and make it 7-1.
The Lions scored two runs in the sixth, highlighted by a triple from Kylee Crowder, but the Leathernecks answered right back. Brown crushed a two-run home run to center, and RyLee German sealed the game with a two-RBI single to walk it off 11-3.Â
Libby Spaulding earned the win, tossing four innings while allowing three runs on six hits. Kaitlyn Green got the start, throwing two scoreless innings.
Offensively, Western Illinois tallied nine hits and drew nine walks in the win. Brown led the way with three RBIs, while Luna and German each drove in two. Simpson added a multi-hit performance as well.Â
The Leathernecks will look to carry the momentum into their last series against SIUE.Â
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