West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois baseball team faced a setback on Sunday, losing the rubber match 8-3 to Little Rock. The defeat leaves WIU with a record of 12-32 for the season and 7-14 in Ohio Valley play.

Little Rock started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning to take an early lead. Western Illinois struggled to capitalize on opportunities with runners on base during the initial innings. The Trojans extended their lead by adding one run each in the fourth and fifth innings, making it 6-0.

Western Illinois attempted a comeback with a three-run eighth inning. Grant Palmer and Adam Juran initiated this effort by drawing consecutive walks. A wild pitch allowed both players to advance before Liam Bushey hit a ground-rule double, reducing the deficit to 6-2. Kyree Alexander contributed with his seventh RBI of the weekend by driving Bushey home with a single.

In response, Little Rock scored two more runs in the ninth inning through a two-run home run, securing their victory.

WIU managed eight hits throughout the game. Liam Bushey had two hits and drove in two runs. Adam Juran recorded an extra-base hit and a double during the third inning. Juran, Brock Lummus, and Grant Palmer each reached base twice via hits and walks.

The Leathernecks will continue their six-game homestand with three games against SEMO starting Friday at 3:00 p.m.