COCOA, Fla. - A sacrifice fly off the bat of Drew Laidig plated what proved to be the game-winning run as the Western Illinois baseball team captured a 5-4, exhibition win against Académie Baseball Canada, Monday afternoon.

The Leathernecks battled back after the Canadian team put a run on the board in the bottom of the first off starter John Sneegas. Quickly erasing the deficit was Lorenzo Gallaga with an RBI-single in the top of the second. Another run gave Western its first lead of the day at 2-1. Two more runs the following inning off RBI-singles from Laidig and Cooper Stewart built the advantage to 4-1 until the Académie struck back with one in the bottom of the sixth, making it 4-2.

What looked to be an insurance run from Laidig on the sac fly, ended up as the game winner in the top of the seventh, giving Western a lead at the time of 5-2. The Académie struck back immediately in the home half of the inning with a pair of unearned runs. It would be Stewart coming on to shut the door in the ninth, recording a 1-2-3 inning to pick up the save.

“These past two games assured me that we have things moving in the right direction,” said head coach Stan Hyman. “This marked the second game in a row that our pitching has been consistent with challenging hitters and pitching to contact. At the plate, we’re hitting the ball solid, moving guys over and driving them in, particularly with two outs.”

Pacing the offense for the day was Laidig with a 1-for-2 effort, with two RBIs and a run scored. Cole Waddell added a hit on the game to go along with a walk and a stolen base.

Sneegas picked up the win by tossing 2.0 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three. Pitchers by committee were used throughout the game as Randon Lingle and David Hill each picked up 2.0 innings of work. Lingle mowed down two and allowed one hit while Hill struck out one batter and surrendered two hits. Back on the mound for the first time since opening weekend at No. 16 Oklahoma was Laidig, who worked 2.0 innings allowing no earned runs and striking out one batter.

Thierry Valliéres (Edouard-Montpetit College) took the loss for Académie Baseball Canada. Francis Cloutier (Ahunstic College) led the offense with a RBI-double, one run scored and a stolen base.

“It was a privilege playing against the Académie,” Hyman stated of the opponent. “The program there is run terrifically and they have some great players. This was the type of quality competition that we need to be able to compete against. They have already extended an invitation for us to come up to Canada to play in a tournament in the future. This truly is a first class organization.”

The Leathernecks return to play Wednesday, March 18, with a doubleheader at No. 12/19 Oklahoma State, at 3 p.m.