West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University baseball team is embarking on a four-game road trip, with matches scheduled against the University of Illinois and Lindenwood. The team recently secured a victory against SIUE, thanks to Cesar Franco's decisive home run in the ninth inning.

Liam Bushey and J.R. Heavilin have been instrumental in driving the team's offense, with Bushey tying program records and Heavilin maintaining consistency at the plate. Catcher Adam Juran also achieved a personal milestone by surpassing 100 career hits.

The Leathernecks are concluding a series of games against in-state rivals, having already claimed their first win against an Illinois school this season. They will face the University of Illinois next.

J.R. Heavilin has excelled as the designated hitter, particularly during games against Tennessee Tech where he batted .556. The team's six victories so far have all been narrow wins within two runs.

Catchers Adam Juran and Brock Lummus contributed significantly to recent successes against UT Martin, with both players achieving high batting averages and playing key roles in game outcomes.

Caden Kratz has been effective as a closer, securing multiple saves over recent games and ranking third nationally in NCAA baseball for saves.

Bushey continued his strong performance with impressive stats against Cincinnati and Iowa, helping Western Illinois secure its first win against a Big 12 opponent since 2009 when they defeated Oklahoma State.

Adam Juran was named Ohio Valley Player of the Week following his outstanding performances both offensively and defensively early in the season.

Head Coach Terry Davis marked his debut season with Western Illinois by leading the team to victory over Austin Peay. The university joined the Ohio Valley Conference last year, marking a new era for its athletics program.

The Leathernecks will don new uniforms this weekend, funded by donations from the 1974 Hall of Fame Baseball team celebrating its 50th anniversary. This team was inducted into Western Illinois' Hall of Fame in 2019 after making it to the NCAA regional tournament.

Additionally, Western Illinois Baseball raised over $18,000 at their First Pitch Dinner event earlier this year to support various aspects of their program. The funds will be used for training facility upgrades and player development initiatives as part of ongoing efforts to enhance their baseball operations.