Macomb, Ill. –  The Maryville baseball team battled back from a one-run deficit in the eighth inning, but could not hold on as Western Illinois defeated the Saints 4-3 in a non-conference match-up at Alfred Boyer Field in Macomb, Ill.
 
What happened:
The two teams locked up in a pitcher's dual until the Saints broke through in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs in the inning, Zack Ruckman was hit by a pitch and moved to third as Daniel Covert singled to left field. Ruckman reached home on a stolen base while Covert moved up to third to give Maryville an early 1-0 lead. Covert then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-0. The Leathernecks answered with three runs in the home half of the inning to give Western a 3-2 advantage. The score stayed that way until the eighth when Dalton Schumer doubled and moved to third on another wild pitch. He scored on a Brennan Williams sacrifice fly to tie the contest at 3-3. The Leathernecks took advantage of a Maryville fielding error in the eighth to retake the lead 4-3 and earn the victory.
 
Winning Pitcher: Colan Borchers (1-0)
Save: None
Losing Pitcher: Andrew Peters (1-3)
Hitting leaders: Schumer – 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2B, run scored
                           Covert – 2-for-4, run scored
 
Records:
Maryville – 8-14
Western Illinois – 3-13
 
Up Next – Maryville hits the road to open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday as the Saints head to Rolla, Mo. to take on Missouri S&T.  First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for noon.