The Western Illinois University Leathernecks men’s baseball team defeated SIUE, 7-1, on Sunday afternoon, April 19, to claim a series win by taking two out of three games. With this result, the Leathernecks improved their season record to 11-26 overall and 5-10 in conference play.
This outcome is significant as it highlights the team’s efforts both offensively and defensively in NCAA Division I competition, according to the official website. The program competes as part of the Ohio Valley Conference and represents Western Illinois University in collegiate athletics.
During Sunday’s game in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois broke open a scoreless contest in the third inning with three runs on two hits. Liam Bushey started the scoring with a single before an error by SIUE allowed another run. Isaiah Monge added an RBI single for a quick 3-0 lead. After SIUE responded with a solo home run in the fourth inning, Josh McClintock scored on a wild pitch to restore WIU’s advantage at 4-1. The Leathernecks extended their lead further in the sixth inning when Bushey delivered again with a two-RBI single and Gage Hoover drove in another run for a final score of 7-1.
Bushey led all hitters going three-for-five at bat and collecting four RBIs while McClintock contributed two hits and scored twice. On the mound, Brett Buchanan earned the win after pitching five innings and allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four batters. Harrison Dubois and Eric Rawlings combined for four shutout innings to close out the game.
Western Illinois University Leathernecks Men’s Baseball operates from Macomb, Illinois as part of its collegiate athletic program within NCAA Division I sports sector according to its official website. The team also maintains traditions that foster student-athlete development and community engagement through its history at Western Illinois University.
Notably, alumni such as brothers Rick and Paul Reuschel advanced from this program to Major League Baseball during their careers in the late 1960s according to information provided by the official website.
Looking ahead, Western Illinois will travel for its next matchup against Iowa before returning home to host Saint Louis University Bilikens.
