West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's softball team split their opening Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader against Southern Indiana. The games took place on Saturday at the USI Softball Field in Evansville, Indiana.

In the first game, Western Illinois achieved a 4-2 victory. The Leathernecks' offense was strong, with Payton Brown leading by going 2-for-4, hitting a home run and securing three RBIs. Maria Luna contributed with an RBI double. The team scored two runs in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie. Lillie Wools earned the save by pitching three scoreless innings and recording one strikeout.

The second game presented more challenges for Western Illinois, as they were limited to four hits. Although they scored early in the first inning, Southern Indiana countered with three runs during the middle innings. Despite a late effort in the seventh inning, Western Illinois lost 3-2. Kaylee Ketcherside recorded a hit and a run, while Brown added another hit. Wools took the loss after allowing three earned runs over four innings.

Western Illinois will face Southern Indiana again on Sunday in hopes of winning the series.

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