TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabods split a non-conference softball doubleheader on Wednesday with Metro State falling 5-4 before winning the nightcap 12-4 in a run-rule game. Washburn (15-10) will return to MIAA play at No. 9 Emporia State on Friday. The same two teams will play a non-conference twinbill on Saturday afternoon in Topeka.

Game 1 – Metro State 5, Washburn 4                            
Katie Schroeder led off the game with a home run to left to put the Ichabods up 1-0, but the Roadrunners came back with three runs in the bottom of the second taking advantage of an Ichabod error as only two of the three runs were earned. The Roadrunners added two more in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead. In the sixth, Washburn cut the lead to 5-4 on a three-run homer by Deidra Jones. However the Ichabods went down in order in the seventh in the one-run loss. Washburn was limited to five hits in the game. Lauren Thimmesch had two hits to lead Washburn. Kaylee Erickson took the loss in the circle striking out two allowing three earned runs as she fell to 2-4 on the season.

Game 2 – Washburn 12, Metro State 4
The Roadrunners scored three in their first at bat and then Washburn knotted the score at 3-3 after scoring three runs in its first at bat. Marina Quimby had a 2 RBI single and Shelby Erickson had an RBI single of her own in the inning. Washburn added another in the bottom of the second tying the score at 4-4 on Schroeder's second home run of the day. Neither team would score until the fourth inning when the Ichabods broke the game open with eight runs in the inning as Washburn sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. Bre Hixon led off the inning with a pinch-hit walk and Skyler Gentry reached on an error. Schroeder drove in two with a double to left center. After Samantha Carson walked and Thimmesch was intentionally walked, Jones drew a bases loaded walk. After Quimby walked, Hixon singled driving in one run and then Jordan Erickson doubled scoring two more putting Washburn up 12-4. The Roadrunners were scoreless in the top of the fifth leading to the run-rule win for the Ichabods. Schroeder finished with three hits and 3 RBI to lead Washburn while scoring two runs in the game along with Carson, Thimmesch, Jones and Hixon. Thimmesch picked up the win improving to 7-2 on the season allowing three earned runs. There were 12 wild pitches in the game.

Notes:
·         Schroeder finished with four hits in the doubleheader and two home runs with 4 RBI and four runs scored. Jones finished with 4 RBI as well.
·         The Ichabods lifted their season home run total to 49, one shy of the school record of 50 set in 2002. Washburn also hit 49 home runs in 2006.