MACOMB, Ill. – The Omaha softball team dropped its series finale with Western Illinois Sunday afternoon, falling 7-1 at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.  With the loss, the Mavericks are now 15-28 (3-8 Summit League), while the Fighting Leathernecks improve to 16-23 (8-1). 

Demi Dobbs led the Mavericks at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.  Faith Romero added a 1-for-3 effort at the plate.

In the circle, the win went to WIU's Emily Ira (9-7), who allowed one run on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings.  Halley Jones (1-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks with a strikeout over 1.1 innings of work.  Aubrey Hacke pitched the final 4.2 innings in relief, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Western Illinois built a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.  Hailey Duwa started the inning with a single down the left field line.  Halle Hollatz then hit the first pitch she saw from Jones over the left field wall.  Payton Abbot walked and scored on Ira's double to left field for the 3-0 lead.  Hacke replaced Jones in the circle and retired the next two batters she faced.

WIU added two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to increase the lead to 5-0.  The Fighting Leathernecks added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-0 lead.

In the seventh, pinch hitter Crystal Pablo drew a one-out walk.  Base hits from Romero and Dobbs allowed pinch runner Emily Klosterman to score to make the final 7-1.

Omaha returns to action with a midweek game at Kansas this Wednesday, April 25, with first pitch at 4 p.m. in Lawrence, Kan.  Links to live stats and video will be available on OMavs.com.