West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's softball team experienced consecutive defeats during their recent games in Honolulu. The Leathernecks faced Cal State Bakersfield and Hawaii, encountering significant challenges in both matchups.

In the first game against Cal State Bakersfield, Western Illinois was unable to perform effectively on offense or defense, resulting in a 16-0 loss after five innings. The team recorded only one hit while conceding 16 runs on ten hits, including four home runs by their opponents. Pitching issues were evident as WIU allowed four walks and hit two batters. CSUB took an early lead with nine runs in the initial two innings and maintained control throughout the game.

The second matchup saw Western Illinois displaying more resilience but ultimately losing 11-5 to Hawaii. The Leathernecks started strong with three runs in the first inning and added two more in the third. Payton Brown made notable contributions with two home runs and four RBIs, supported by Ruby Tarr's solo home run. Despite these efforts, WIU's pitching continued to struggle, giving up 11 runs on 11 hits along with seven walks.

As a result of these losses, Western Illinois' record stands at 2-4 for the season. The team aims to recover in their upcoming games.

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