MACOMB, Ill. - Dan Russell delivered a strong start and Ryan Cowhey's two-run double in the
seventh inning pushed Western Illinois (10-17-1, 1-3) past Southern Utah (9-22,
3-1), 4-2, Sunday (April 8) at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.
Russell earned his second start of the season and lasted 6
1/3 innings. He allowed two unearned runs on six hits and struck out five
Thunderbirds. Seth Fuller (1-0) relieved Russell in the seventh and threw 2 2/3
scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Fuller struck out three and allowed
just one hit.
Cowhey (2-for-3) collected three RBIs and scored a run
while Austin Cowen (2-for-3) tripled in a run in the first inning. Danny Marcuzzo (1-for-2, two walks) scored twice and Manny Reyes (1-for-3) also
scored. Reyes has reached base in 13 consecutive contests.
Western jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Leading off, Cowhey hit the first pitch he saw through the left side of the
infield. With two outs, Cowhey raced home on Cowen's triple to right field.
An error by Marcuzzo ignited a two-run fifth inning for
Southern Utah. With one out, Tariq Staton reached on Marcuzzo's fielding miscue
and scored on David Headley's triple to left center. Headley then trotted home
on Bo Cuthbertson's sacrifice fly.
Western Illinois answered with a run in the bottom half of
the inning to tie the game. Marcuzzo led off with a single up the middle and
was advanced to second base on Reyes' sacrifice bunt. After advancing to third
base on a wild pitch, Marcuzzo scored on Cowhey's sacrifice fly.
The Fighting Leathernecks took the lead with a two-run
seventh inning. Marcuzzo walked with one out and advanced to second on Reyes'
single to left center. Both runners scored on Cowhey's double to left center
and Western led 4-2.
Southern Utah starter Justin Neubauer (3-3) allowed four
runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four Leathernecks and
walked one.
Leatherneck baseball will take a quick break from the Summit
League schedule and travel to face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday (April 10) at 6:35 p.m.
#WIUAthletics
