MACOMB, Ill. – SIUE scored three runs in the first inning and never trailed, winning the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Western Illinois 16-3.
The 16 runs were a season high for SIUE which improved to 7-6 in OVC play and 15-23 overall. Western Illinois fell to 3-10 in the OVC and 7-26 overall.
"It was a good start to the weekend," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We were able to jump on them early and get the momentum on our side."
The Cougars broke out on top with a three-run first inning. SIUE had runners on first and third after back-to-back hits by Lucas Spence and Gage Franck to start the game. Franck advanced to second on a passed ball. Ryan Niedzwiedz reached on an error which allowed to Spence to score and sent Franck to third base. Ethan Willoughby and Chase Bloomer hit back-to-back sacrifice flies for the 3-0 lead.
Franck led off the third with a single, stole second base and went to third on a passed ball. Willoughby walked ahead of an RBI-double from Bloomer. John Stallcup followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-0.
The Leathernecks grabbed a run back in the bottom of the third. Tyler DeLong walked a batter and gave up a double before allowing a run on a passed ball.
It was the only run allowed by Delong who improved to 3-3 with the win. He struck out a season-high eight hitters.
"It was a quality start," Lyons said. "He had to get through some innings, but he threw six strong innings. That is what we need on a Friday."
SIUE piled on five runs in the fourth. The Cougars loaded the bases before Niedzwiedz doubled to the wall in left center to drive in three. Willoughby drove home a run with a hit and Daniel Gier added a sacrifice fly.
Spence and Niedwiedz picked up RBI-hits, Bloomer walked with the bases loaded and another run scored on an error.
Both teams scored a pair of runs in the ninth inning.
Zues Ponder tossed a pair of scoreless innings in relief. He struck out four.
"He was really good today," Lyons said. "It was good to see."
SIUE outhit Western Illinois 15-8.
Gage Franck and Ethan Willoughby each had three hits. Willoughby added three RBIs. Niedzwiedz and Bloomer each had two hits and four RBIs. Lucas Spence was 2-5 and extended his hitting streak to 23 games-the longest for the Cougars since 2001.
"We got some good offensive days out of some guys," Lyons said. "They took some good swings in the zone and put some balls in play."
SIUE and Western Illinois will continue the series with a 2 p.m. game Saturday.
