MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois picked up a solid win on Sunday afternoon, taking down Little Rock 8-5 after a back-and-forth game that turned in the seventh inning.

The Leathernecks got going early, answering a first-inning run from the Trojans with three of their own in the bottom half. Isaiah Monge tied things up with an RBI single before Cordell Coburn cleared the bases with a two-run double to make it 3-1. WIU added on again in the second, working a couple of walks and pushing two more runs across to stretch the lead to 5-1.

On the mound, Brett Buchanan gave the Leathernecks exactly what they needed. The right-hander worked six innings, striking out eight while limiting Little Rock to just a few scoring chances and keeping WIU ahead.

Little Rock showed their fight in the seventh. A few baserunners set the table before a grand slam tied the game at 5-5, quickly ending Western's lead and putting the pressure back on the Leathernecks.

Joe Connolly reached to start the inning, and Liam Bushey followed with a single to put runners on. After a walk loaded things up, Gage Hoover came through with a two-run double to put WIU back on top. Monge added another RBI knock later in the inning to give the Leathernecks some breathing room at 8-5.

From there, Harrison Dubois took over on the mound and shut things down. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just a few hits and never letting Little Rock get anything.

Western Illinois finished with seven hits on the day, with Hoover and Monge leading the way offensively, while Connolly crossed the plate three times. 

The Leathernecks will take this win into the upcoming weekend as they face the Lindenwood Lions out on the Lions' home turf.