West Central Reporter

On a pivotal day for Western Illinois Baseball, the team secured a much-needed victory against Lindenwood, significantly boosting their chances in the conference tournament race. The highlight of the game was the impressive performance by the Leatherneck pitching staff.

Jorge Romero set the tone by delivering seven scoreless innings. He not only allowed a mere two hits but also struck out four batters, marking his second quality start of the season. Following his strong performance, Jason Buhl took over in the eighth inning, striking out the first two batters he faced. In the ninth inning, Billy Humphrey came on to secure his first career save with Western Illinois University (WIU). Despite allowing a lead-off hit, Humphrey successfully retired the next three batters, sealing a 1-0 victory for the team.

The game's solitary run came courtesy of a two-out RBI double by Cordell Coburn in the bottom of the seventh inning. This allowed Tyler Large, who began the inning being hit by a pitch, to score. Paul Osting contributed significantly to the offense, producing a team-high of two hits.

Defensively, the Leathernecks were flawless, committing no errors during the game. This comprehensive performance kept them competitive in the tournament standings.

With the win secured, the Leathernecks will remain in Illinois for the remainder of the season. Their next game is scheduled for Wednesday against the Bradley Braves at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium, with the first pitch set for 3 p.m. Following this, they will travel to SIUE for a three-game series starting Friday.

For more information on Leatherneck Baseball, visit GoLeathernecks.com. Fans can also receive immediate updates by following the team on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.