Ryan Matheny, General Manager
(Omaha) – The Omaha stopped their four-game losing streak in game one of a weekend set against Western Illinois, dropping the Leathernecks 4-1.
Omaha got a fantastic start from Junior Tyler Fox (4-2), who threw 7.0 innings and allowed just one run with six strikeouts.
“I was just trying to get ahead of hitters, like we do every game,” Fox said after the game. “I’ve been getting stronger as the season goes on as our pitch counts go up. That’s why you’ve seen the extension in games, and that doesn’t happen unless I’m getting ahead of hitters.”
Cole Gruber pushed his team-leading batting average to .422 following a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the dish and also moved into third place all-time in stolen bases in the school’s record books as he swiped three bags in the win.
The game was scoreless through the first four innings, when Western Illinois broke through in the fifth with three straight singles and a bases-loaded walk to take a 1-0 lead.
Omaha responded immediately with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Alex Schultz started off the rally with a one-out single, and Gruber followed with a walk. The duo pulled off a double-steal to put two men in scoring position. Clayton Taylor then hit a sacrifice fly into center to tie the game. Gruber would score on an Alex Mortensen single and then Mortensen came around to score on a throwing error by the Leathernecks, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Mavericks.
Omaha tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Cole Patterson singled to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Gruber then drove the run in with a single to make the score 4-1.
Marcus Ethen pitched the final two innings for the Mavericks, allowing no runs and striking out two to pick up his first save of the year.
Joe Mortillaro (2-2) was saddled with the loss for WIU, as he allowed four runs (three earned) over 6.0 innings of work.
