West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University secured a 9-6 victory over Bradley University at home on Wednesday afternoon, marking their second consecutive win. The game's pivotal moment came in the fifth inning when the Leathernecks scored four runs, extending their lead beyond the Braves' reach.

The Braves opened the scoring in the first two innings, taking an early 2-0 lead. Western Illinois responded with two runs in the second inning, tying the game. Tyler Large's walk and Kenneth Perez's single were key in setting up Cordell Coburn and Liam Bushey, who each recorded RBIs that evened the score. The Leathernecks then took the lead in the third inning with Perez's RBI double.

A significant surge in the fifth inning saw WIU pulling away, capped off by Brock Lummus's grand slam, which brought the score to 7-2. Matt Olive later added to the lead with an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Pitcher Harrison Dubois delivered a solid performance, allowing two runs over 5.1 innings while striking out two.

Bradley threatened in the seventh and eighth innings, narrowing the gap to 8-5. However, Billy Humphrey quelled the Braves' momentum by retiring two batters consecutively, preventing a comeback. WIU added an insurance run in the eighth inning with Paul Osting's solo home run.

In the ninth inning, Bradley managed to score once more, but Eric Rawlings closed the game, securing the victory for WIU. The Leathernecks are set to face the SIUE Cougars in a three-game series starting Friday in Edwardsville, Illinois.

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