Western Illinois University’s baseball team secured a 12-3 victory over St. Ambrose University on Tuesday at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium in Macomb, Illinois. The Leathernecks, who compete at the NCAA Division I level and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference according to their official website (https://goleathernecks.com/sports/baseball), improved their season record to 3-4 with this win.
The game saw Western Illinois score in five different innings and collect 12 hits. After falling behind early, WIU tied the game in the second inning when Isaiah Monge stole home. Wandel Campana then scored on a wild pitch to give WIU a 2-1 lead. In the third inning, Liam Bushey and Cordell Coburn each added runs, extending the advantage to 4-1.
The fourth inning was decisive for Western Illinois as they scored five runs on six hits. Krayton Morse hit a single that drove in two runs, with Joe Connolly and Coburn also contributing RBIs. Monge capped off the inning with a double to center field, pushing the score to 9-1.
St. Ambrose managed two runs in the sixth inning before Western Illinois responded in the seventh with three more runs. Kamryn Link’s triple brought in two runs during that frame, while Paul Osting added another RBI to make it 12-3.
Brett Buchanan pitched two scoreless innings for WIU and struck out two batters as part of an overall effort where Leatherneck pitchers allowed three runs and struck out seven opponents.
Monge, Hoover, Osting, Morse, and McClintock all contributed hits throughout the game as Western Illinois maintained control from start to finish.
The Leathernecks will travel next for a series against the University of Louisiana-Monroe from February 27 through March 1.
For further information about Western Illinois University Leathernecks Men’s Baseball—a collegiate athletic program based in Macomb (https://goleathernecks.com/sports/baseball) with alumni who have reached Major League Baseball—their official website provides updates along with social media coverage.
