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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Ichabods scored first but gave up a big second inning in a 9-2 loss Friday in their season opener at Drury. Washburn and the Panthers will resume their four-game series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.

Blaine Matthews, a transfer from NCAA Division I Mercer, started his Washburn career going 2 for 3 from the plate. He led off the game with a single to right field and advanced to third base when Marcus Peavler singled. Richard Swan then drove him in with a sacrifice fly to give the Ichabods an early lead. Matthews also singled in the third inning and walked in the fifth.

Junior right-handed pitcher Brett Ash got the start after earned second team all-MIAA last year with a team-high seven wins. He struck out two and got out of the first inning but in the second inning the Panthers took advantage of some Washburn mistakes. The Ichabods committed three errors and Drury scored six runs, five of them earned.

The Ichabods gave up single runs in the third and fifth innings before they got one in the seventh. Brad Alberts led off the inning with a single and then scored when Brent Matile singled up the middle.

Trent Speaker came on in relief of Ash in the sixth inning and went the final three innings. He gave up two hits and a run. Ash took the loss and struck out three with three walks. He gave up eight hits and eight runs but just two of them were earned after Washburn committed five errors. Speaker struck out two with no walks.

Washburn got five hits off the Drury pitching staff. Will Landsheft started and got the win. He allowed three hits and a run through six innings.

The Panthers got 10 hits. Mason Roller went 2 for 3 and drove in two and scored twice. Caleb Cole and Alex Larkin each got two hits.