Western Illinois Athletics announced on May 7 that Payton Brown, a junior softball player, and Liam Bushey, a fifth-year baseball player, have been selected as the Leatherneck Student-Athletes of the Month for April.
The recognition highlights their strong performances in their respective sports during April. The award brings attention to student-athletes who excel both on the field and as representatives of Western Illinois University’s athletics programs.
Brown led the Leatherneck softball offense by batting .450 with 18 hits in 40 at-bats and scoring 10 runs over the month. She recorded two doubles, four home runs, and drove in 17 runs while posting seven multi-hit games. Notably, Brown had a two-home run, seven-RBI doubleheader against Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on April 4 and followed with a five-RBI game versus Tennessee State Tigers on April 20. According to the official website, Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball competes at the NCAA Division I level as part of its intercollegiate athletics offerings in Macomb, Illinois and maintains membership in the Ohio Valley Conference. The team includes notable players such as Payton Brown.
Bushey contributed significantly to the baseball lineup by batting .283 with 17 hits across 16 games. He scored eight runs and added four doubles, two home runs, and twelve RBI for April. Bushey also achieved five multi-hit performances during this period—including three-hit outings against Lindenwood Lions and SIUE Cougars—and delivered three hits including a home run with four RBI against Bradley Braves on April 15.
For ongoing updates about Western Illinois Athletics or more information about student-athlete achievements like those of Brown or Bushey, readers are encouraged to visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow official social media channels.
