KEARNEY, Neb. -- The Washburn Ichabod and Nebraska-Kearney softball teams combined for 51 runs and 57 hits splitting an MIAA doubleheader as Washburn (11-5, 7-3 MIAA) won the opener 10-9 before falling in the second game 17-15. Washburn will travel to Wayne State for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday.

Game 1 - WU 10, UNK 9
In the opener, Washburn took a 2-0 lead after its first at bat on a 2-run homer by Samantha Carson, but the Lopers came back with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Washburn came back and tied the score in its second at bat of the day with two in the second on a fac fly by Bre Hixon and an RBI single by Katie Schroeder. The Lopers would then take a 9-4 lead after three innings before the Ichabods started their comeback. Washburn scored two in the fourth and then add four unearned runs in the sixth to take a 10-9 lead. Washburn had a 2 RBI double by Schroeder and an RBI single by Carson followed by an RBI double by Deidra Jones sending Carson home with the winning run. Lauren Thimmesch allowed a lead off double by the Lopers but retired the side with two strikeouts and a pop out to improve to 5-1 on the season pitching five innings striking out four for the win. Schroeder and Carson each drove in three while Schroeder had three hits and Carson, Thimmesch, Haylee Marsteller and Jordan Erickson each had two hits. Washburn and UNK each had 13 hits in the game.

Game 2 - UNK 17, WU 15
Washburn scored a run in its first at bat on an RBI single by Shelby Erickson and then the Lopers regained the lead with two in the bottom of the first and then they exploded for 10 runs in the second inning sending 13 batters to the plate. Washburn cut the lead to 12 to 5 after scoring four in the third inning on a 3-run homer by Thimmesch. Marsteller drove in another run as Washburn sent 10 to the plate. Washburn then added a solo run in the fourth on a solo home run by Jones. The Ichabods then added six in the fifth inning with a three-run homer by Hixon, an RBI double by Jordan Erickson and a 2 RBI singly by Shelby Erickson which tied the score at 12 through 4 1/2 innings. The Lopers retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Washburn came back and tied the score at 15 after Hixon's second 3-run homer of the game. Washburn was held scoreless in the seventh and the Lopers won it with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh giving UNK the split. Hixon finished the game with 6 RBI with the two three-run homers. Thimmesch and Shelby Erickson each had thee RBI in the game as the teams combined for 31 hits and 32 runs.