West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University (WIU) Leatherneck baseball team faced a setback in their first game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, with a final score of 14-2 at their home stadium in Macomb, Illinois.

Key performances for WIU came from Justin Bogard and Krayton Morse, both achieving 2-4 from the plate, each securing two singles. After Tennessee Tech established a four-run lead in the second inning, WIU responded with efforts to close the gap. Kyree Alexander initiated the rally with a one-out hit, followed by a single from Bogard, positioning runners on the corners. Trevor Leon contributed with an RBI double, narrowing the score to 4-1. Paul Osting's RBI groundout reduced the deficit to 4-2 by the end of the second inning. However, Tennessee Tech extended their lead with 10 unanswered runs, including a pivotal five-run fifth inning.

Max Tripure started on the mound for WIU, delivering four innings with five strikeouts and five walks. He allowed five runs on five hits. The Leathernecks' bullpen provided additional relief, tallying three strikeouts through five different pitchers.

The series will continue with the second game scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium, starting at 2 p.m.

Fans seeking further information on Leatherneck baseball can visit GoLeathernecks.com and follow team updates on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook.