HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Knotted at 2-2 in the sixth, Western Illinois exploded for seven runs over the next two innings to collect a 9-3 win over Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday (Feb. 26). The game was the finale of the Bulldog Classic hosted by Alabama A&M at Joe Davis Stadium.

Western Illinois (3-4) starter Nick Smith allowed two runs on three hits over five innings but left the game with a no-decision. Dan Russell (1-0) relieved Smith and posted three scoreless innings to collect his first victory of the season. Smith, Russell and Nick Milligan combined to hold UMES (0-7) hitless over the final six innings.

Western Illinois walked eight times, reached on seven hit by pitches and punched out seven hits on the day. Matt Igara scored two runs, drove in two and went 2-for-3 at the plate. Igara now has three multi-hit games this season and has reached base in five consecutive contests. Austin Cowen reached base four times and collected two RBIs for the second time this season.

Smith pitched around two errors in the first inning and retired the side in order in the second. UMES got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third with two runs on three doubles.

Western Illinois responded in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on two hits. Rich Mascheri walked to lead off the inning and Steve Kedroski singled up the middle to advance Mascheri to third. Mascheri scored on Manny Reyes' sacrifice fly and Igara plated Kedroski with a two-out single through the right side.

Smith settled down after the third, allowing just one base runner over the next two innings. After Russell held UMES scoreless in the top of the sixth inning, Western Illinois plated two more runs without recording a hit. Dan Dispensa and Igara walked and Cowen loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. With Ryan Cowhey at the plate, Igara trotted home on a wild pitch and Lilja scored one out later on a passed ball.

Up 4-2 entering the seventh inning, Western Illinois plated five insurance runs on three hits. Danny Marcuzzo walked with one out and Reyes was hit by a pitch. With two outs and Igara at the plate, Marcuzzo scored on a wild pitch before Igara doubled in Dispensa, who had reached on a fielder's choice.

Cowen came to the plate after Lilja walked and drove home both runners with a single to center field. Cowhey ran into the final out of the inning at third base but not before doubling in Cowen to record Western's fifth run of the inning.

UMES scored one run off Milligan in the top of the ninth on a hit by pitch and two wild pitches. Milligan closed out the game with a groundout to Cowen at shortstop and a flyout to Cowhey in right field.

Alex Welch (0-1) took the loss for the Hawks after allowing two runs without recording an out in the sixth inning. UMES starter Jesus Hernandez limited Western Illinois to three hits and two runs over five innings of work.

The Fighting Leathernecks are back in action next weekend (March 2-4) when they take on nationally-ranked Georgia. Western Illinois looks to hand the No. 9 Bulldogs (7-0) their first loss of the season at Foley Field in Athens, Ga.

#WIUAthletics