West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University (WIU) Leatherneck baseball team secured a crucial victory against UT Martin on Saturday, taking the second game of a three-game series with a 7-6 win. The Leathernecks managed to pull ahead to a 4-1 lead, maintaining as much as a five-run advantage during the match against the Skyhawks.

The Leathernecks' offense began strong in the top of the first inning. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases, allowing Tyler Large to score Liam Bushey with a sacrifice fly to center field. Following a throwing error by the Skyhawks' catcher, Krayton Morse scored, making it a 2-0 lead.

Despite UT Martin scoring in the bottom of the first, WIU extended its lead in the second inning. Justin Bogard singled and advanced on a wild pitch, while Bushey walked. Both runners scored on a double by Morse, bringing the lead to 4-1 after one and a half innings.

WIU further extended their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 7-2 advantage into the sixth inning. Brock Lummus hit a home run in the fourth, and in the fifth, Kenneth Perez's double and a Kyree Alexander sacrifice fly each scored a run. The Skyhawks narrowed the gap by scoring three runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh, making it a one-run game.

The Leatherneck bullpen contained the Skyhawks' offense, with Karsten Stotlar and Jorge Romero pitching 3.1 innings in relief. They allowed only one earned run on one hit and one walk between them. Frederick Romano started the game for WIU, retiring eight consecutive batters during his 5.2 innings while striking out four. Romero, securing his first save of the season, allowed no hits over 2.2 innings out of the bullpen.

The Leathernecks aim to clinch their first Ohio Valley Conference series win of the season in Sunday's deciding game against UT Martin. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

WIU encourages fans to visit GoLeathernecks.com for updates on Leatherneck Baseball and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.