Preview: Billikens, Leathernecks Set for Midweek Clash

MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — The Saint Louis Billikens and Western Illinois Leathernecks will meet in a nonconference matchup Wednesday at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for the evening under partly cloudy skies and a temperature near 77 degrees.

The game features two teams looking to build momentum from weekend victories. Saint Louis (16-24) salvaged the finale of its series with Davidson, winning 7-2 on Sunday. Western Illinois (10-25) took two of three from SIU Edwardsville, capped by a 7-1 win Sunday.

A key matchup will be on the mound. Saint Louis is expected to start right-hander Noah Andrunas, who delivered a dominant performance last time out. On Sunday, he held Davidson to one hit and one earned run while striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings in a winning effort. His season has been inconsistent, however, including a short outing where he allowed three earned runs without recording a hit on April 4.

Western Illinois is projected to counter with right-hander Brett Buchanan. He earned the win Sunday against SIU Edwardsville, allowing one run on five hits over five innings. Buchanan has shown swing-and-miss capability, striking out eight in a six-inning start on April 5.

The bullpens could be decisive. In their most recent head-to-head meeting on March 3, Western Illinois edged Saint Louis 3-2 in 10 innings in St. Louis.

Offensively, Saint Louis will hope for production from Hank Gomric, who homered in Sunday’s win. Western Illinois’ Liam Bushey drove in two runs on three hits in its Sunday victory.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Western Illinois 4, Saint Louis 3.

This is a standalone midweek contest for both clubs before they return to conference play this weekend. Saint Louis will host Rhode Island in an Atlantic 10 series starting Friday. Western Illinois travels to face Tennessee Tech in an Ohio Valley Conference series beginning Friday.