TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn softball team split an MIAA doubleheader with Northeastern State falling 7-4 in eight innings in the opener before winning the nightcap 4-3. Washburn (19-18, 11-9 MIAA) will be back in action on Saturday in its home finale as they will face No. 22-ranked Central Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Seniors Katie Schroeder, Shelby Erickson and Skyler Gentry will be honored between games and the Ichabods will also be having their Pink Out game with several items up for silent auction.

Game 1 - NSU 7, WU 4 (8 innings)
Washburn (19-18, 11-9 MIAA) jumped out to a 3-0 after a two-run homer by Lauren Thimmesch and an RBI single by Shelby Erickson. The RiverHawks came back with two runs in the top of third. Neither team scored until Northeastern State's Alyssa Aguilar hit a home run to lead off the top of the seventh tying the score. In the top of the eighth, the RiverHawks (25-21, 11-9 MIAA) scored four runs with two coming as unearned taking a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth. Washburn got one back on a sac fly by Deidra Jones but it was not enough as Washburn fell 7-4. Thimmesch took the loss pitching two innings of relief. Marina Quimby started the game pitching six innings striking out seven scattering eight hits. Thimmesch had two hits for Washburn driving in two runs.

Game 2 - WU 4, NSU 3
Lauren Thimmesch's two-run homer in the top of the fifth broke a 2-2 tie putting Washburn up 4-2 as the Ichabods gained the split with the 4-3 win. The RiverHawks took the early lead with a run in the first and then Washburn tied the score with a solo home run by Shelby Erickson leading off the second inning. NSU came back with a solo home run by Ryan Martin giving the RiverHawks a 2-1 lead. Washburn tied the score with a sacrifice fly by Haylee Marsteller scoring Shelby Erickson who led off the inning with a single leading to Thimmesch's 15th home run of the season. The RiverHawks scored one in the sixth cutting the lead to 4-3. Samantha Carson (9-2) struck out two of her three RiverHawks in the seventh inning to wrap up the win.