West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's baseball team is preparing for a busy stretch with five games in six days. The Leathernecks will face Bradley, Illinois State, and Little Rock, with matches taking place in Macomb and Bloomington, Illinois.

In recent developments, Jason Buhl from Western Illinois has been named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Pitcher of the Week. This recognition marks the first such honor for both Buhl and the team since joining the OVC. Over the weekend, Buhl pitched a complete game against Lindenwood Lions, allowing just one run over nine innings and striking out five batters.

The team's pitching staff demonstrated strong performances throughout their series against Lindenwood. Following Buhl's lead, Tyler Kapraun and Caden Kratz contributed to a shutout victory, marking the first shutout by Western Illinois since March 2021. Collectively, they allowed only four runs during the series.

Cesar Franco made a significant impact in Sunday's game against SIUE with a home run that secured a 7-6 win for Western Illinois. Offensively, Liam Bushey and J.R. Heavilin have been key contributors recently. Bushey tied a program record for at-bats during a game at Southern Illinois and recorded several hits and total bases.

In another highlight, catcher Adam Juran reached his 100th career hit with a double against Morehead State. The team also celebrated its first victory against an in-state opponent this season by defeating SIUE.

J.R. Heavilin has excelled as the designated hitter, boasting impressive statistics in recent games against Tennessee Tech. Catchers Adam Juran and Brock Lummus have also performed well offensively while maintaining strong defensive play.

Caden Kratz continues to be reliable as the team's closer, adding two more saves over UT Martin last weekend, bringing his season total to six saves. His performance ranks him third in NCAA baseball for saves.

The Leathernecks' success includes close victories; all six wins this season have been decided by two runs or less. Western Illinois boasts victories over power-five teams like Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky.

Head Coach Terry Davis secured his first win as head coach with a victory over Austin Peay earlier this year. The team is donning new uniforms thanks to donations from the 1974 Hall of Fame Baseball team.

Additionally, Western Illinois Athletics joined the Ohio Valley Conference on July 1st as its 11th member. The Leatherneck Baseball team successfully raised over $18,000 at their First Pitch Dinner event to support various aspects of their program.

This season marks the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Hall of Fame team’s historic achievements in NCAA regional tournaments—a milestone celebrated by current players and alumni alike.