Ichabods open MIAA Tournement play in Overland Park vs Gorillas ...
•    The Washburn Ichabod softball team will face the No. 2-seeded Pittsburg State Gorillas at 5 p.m. on Thursday in Overland Park, Kan., at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex. The Ichabods will then play the winner/loser of the No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma/No. 6 seed Emporia State in a winner's or loser's bracket game at 7 p.m.
•    Washburn is making its first trip to the MIAA Tournament since the 2012 season and its 22nd MIAA Tournament appearance overall.
•    The Ichabods are 33-43 all-time in the MIAA Tournament and the Ichabods are 5-4 all-time in the MIAA Tournament against Pittsburg State winning the last four meetings in tourney play. 
•    The Gorillas are 33-17 this season and finished 18-8 second in the MIAA standings.
•    The Gorillas swept the two games played in Topeka on March 28 winning 3-1 and 5-4.
•    The Ichabods are coming off a 1-3 week splitting a doubleheader at Missouri Western winning 4-3 in nine innings and 9-4 and were swept at Northwest Missouri falling 3-2 and 7-4.

 Warm ups . . . 
•    The Ichabods are 1-4 in the last five games and have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games …Washburn is 27-22 overall this year and 14-12 in MIAA play having already improved on its 2014 win total of 20.
•    The 27 overall wins are the most by the Ichabods since the winning 29 in 2008 … the 14 MIAA wins are the most since winning 13 in 2003.
•    Lauren Thimmesch has 42 career home runs in her third season at Washburn which ranks third on the all-time Ichabod chart … she needs one more to move into second place all-time at Washburn … she also scored her 104 career run last weekend putting her in ninth all-time at Washburn.
•    Marina Quimby is batting a team-high .401 also leading the team with 67 hits and her 42 runs scored is second on the team … her 67 hits rank eighth on the Ichabod single season list and needs six more to move into the top five.
•    Cassidy Merriman is second on the team with a .350 batting average and she is in second on the team with 11 home runs and leads the team with 47 runs scored … her 47 runs scored is tied for fourth on the Ichabod single season chart … her 32 RBI is fourth on the team … her .637 slugging percentage is third in the MIAA and leads the team. 
•    Lauren Thimmesch has the second-best ERA in the MIAA entering this week's action with a 2.08 ERA and her 20 wins are second in the MIAA … her 15 home runs leads the Ichabods and is tied for third on the single season chart matching her total of 15 from 2014 … her 20 pitching wins are the most by an Ichabod pitcher since the 2006 season when Kelly Swygert recorded 20 … the 20 wins are tied for sixth overall on the Ichabod single season chart. 
•    The Ichabods are outscoring their opponents 57-36 in the first inning and 46-22 in the third inning and 41-20 in the fifth inning of games this season … in the second inning the Ichabods are being outscored 47-27.
•    The Ichabods are fifth in the MIAA in hitting with a .312 batting average as a team and they are ninth in the MIAA with a 3.70 ERA.

 Possible First Day MIAA Tournament Opponents . . . 
Pittsburg State -  The Gorillas have won their last two after sweeping Central Oklahoma 3-2 and 5-3 on April 26 …overall they are 33-17 going 18-8 in MIAA playing finishing second in the MIAA … the Gorillas have won five of their last 10 games and were swept in doubleheaders at Missouri Western on April 11 and at Central Missouri on April 15 before sweeping Rogers State in non-conference action on April 21 … the Gorillas split a doubleheader with Northeastern State on April 25 … Cheslyn Mitchell leads the team with a .390 batting average …Nicole Nease has 15 home runs to lead the team …Emmie Robertson is 23-8 leading the MIAA in wins and in ERA with a 1.88 mark …she has 212 strikeouts to 53 walks and has tossed 24 completed games.
Possible day one opponent - Central Oklahoma - The Bronchos are 39-16 this season and 18-8 in MIAA play earning the No. 3 seed in the tournament …     Kaylee Brunson leads the team with a .395 batting average and Nicole Brady is 16-9 in the circle with a 3.27 ERA with 15 complete games …the Ichabods and Bronchos split a doubleheader on April 18 with the Ichabods winning 14-5 in nine innings before losing the second game 6-1 … the Bronchos lead the all-time series 17-15 with the Ichabods after splitting a doubleheader last season in Topeka … the Ichabods
Possible day one opponent - Emporia State - The Hornets are the No. 6 seed in the tournament after going 34-18 overall and 16-9 during MIAA play … as a team the Hornets are batting .315 and they are led by Stephanie Goodwin's .407 batting average … in the circle Kaitlyn Caston is 16-6 with a 2.73 ERA … the Horents lead the all-time series 81-49-1 … the Ichabods will be looking to snap a 35-game losing streak to Emporia State on the softball field in the next meeting … the last win by the Ichabods over the Hornets on April 25, 2005 in a 4-3 win in the first game of a doubleheader in Topeka … the Ichabods trail the ESU in tournament match ups 1-9 having lost the last six encounters … Washburn has not beat Emporia State in the MIAA Tournament since a 6-3 win during the 1998 tournament.

 Ichabods year by year in the MIAA Tourney . . . 
The Ichabods have compiled a 33-43 record in the MIAA Tournament dating back to the 1991 season. .
1991 • 1-2 
1992 • 2-2 
1993 • 1-2 
1994 • 1-2 (4-1 in MIAA Interdivision play-in tournament qualifier) 
1995 • 2-2 
1996 • 2-2 
1997 • 2-2 
1998 • 3-2 
1999 • 1-2 
2000 • 3-2 
2001 • 1-2 
2002 • 2-2 
2003 • 1-2 
2004 • 0-2 
2005 • did not qualify 
2006 • 1-2 
2007 • 3-2 
2008 • 1-2
2009 • 0-2
2010 • 0-2
2011 • 1-2
2012 • 1-2
2013 • did not qualify
2014 • did not qualify

 Records vs All Opponents in the MIAA Tourney . . . 
Central Missouri • The Ichabods are 5-6 against the Jennies. 
Emporia State • The Ichabods trail the ESU in tournament match ups 1-9 having lost the last six encounters. Washburn has not beat Emporia State in the MIAA Tournament since a 6-3 win during the 1998 tournament. 
Fort Hays State • The Ichabods lost the only meeting in MIAA Tournament play to the Tigers on May 7, 2011 in a 5-3 loss.
Lincoln • The Ichabods are 3-0 against the Blue Tigers. 
Missouri Southern • The Lions lead the conference tournament matchups 5-2. 
Missouri Western • The Ichabods and Griffons are 2-7 in MIAA Tournament meetings. 
Northwest Missouri • Washburn is 3-2 against the Bearcats winning the last meeting on May 6, 2011 with a walk-off grand slam. 
Pittsburg State • The Ichabods have played the Gorillas the most in the tournament, nine times with the series tied 5-4. The Ichabods have won the last four meetings in tournament play. 
Southwest Baptist • The Ichabods have won all three meetings leading the series 3-0. 
Teams no longer in the MIAA 
Missouri-Rolla • The Ichabods lead the meetings in the tournament 4-1. 
Missouri-St. Louis • The Ichabods are 1-2 against the Tritons in the tournament. 
Truman • The Ichabods are 3-7 against the Bulldogs and have lost four of the last five meetings in the tournament.

  Last meeting with Pittsburg State . . . 
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods were swept in a pair of close games by MIAA front-runners Pittsburg State falling 3-1 and 5-4 in eight innings on Saturday at the Washburn Softball Complex.
Game 1 Pittsburg State 3, Washburn 1
Washburn scored in the first inning on a solo home run by Cassidy Merriman but the Ichabods were limited to two more hits the rest of the way in a 3-1 loss. 
Merriman had one other hit and Taylor Zimmerman had the other for the Ichabods.
The Gorillas scored solo runs in the second, third and fourth innings for the 3-1 win.
Emmie Robertson struck out eight Ichabods while walking one improving to 12-5 on the season. For Washburn Lauren Thimmesch fell to 12-3 overall after giving up two earned runs striking out three.
Game 2 - Pittsburg State 5, Washburn 4
After the Gorillas scored three in the top of the third inning, the Ichabods (18-13, 6-6 MIAA) scored three in the bottom of the inning taking advantage of a Gorilla error. Taylor Zimmerman hit a 2-RBI double to right field scoring Merriman and Thimmesch who reached on an error. Kristen Bell's sac fly scored Jordan Erickson to tie the score.
Neither team would score until the top of the eighth inning when the Gorillas (20-10, 9-1 MIAA) scored a pair of runs on a 2-run double by Jordan Bradshaw. Washburn scored one in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by Erickson scoring Sierra Kemp, but left runners at the corners falling 5-4.
The Ichabods recorded 10 hits in the night camp with two coming from Quimby, Merriman and Zimmerman.
Thimmesch took the loss pitching all eight innings striking out five allowing three earned runs. Emmie Robertson pitched 5 1/3 innings in relief improving to 13-5.

 WU Bod Notes . . . 
#1 • Courtney Todd • IF/OF • Fr. • Has played in one game this season.
#2 • Alex Sweeney • OF • So. • Has scored six times making one start appearing in 14 games.
#3 • Kristen Bell • C • Jr. • Needs six hits for 100 in her Washburn career.
#4 • Megan Stegman • C/UT • So. • Has eight multi-hit games this season and four multi-RBI games.
#5 • Marina Quimby • P/IF • Jr. • Has 24 multi-hit games …ranks fifth in the MIAA with .401 batting average.
#6 • Brianna White • IF • Fr. • Has not appeared in any games this season.
#7 • Savannah Moore • 3B • Fr. • Has three multi-RBI games this season.
#8 • Jordan Erickson • OF • So. • Tied for ninth in the MIAA with 10 home runs.
#9 • Haylee Marsteller • OF • Jr. • Has 12 multi-hit games this season and five multi-RBI games.
#10 • Kimberly Euler • P/OF • Fr. • Picked up her first collegiate win against Missouri Southern on March 21 pitching four innings in the combined shutout.
#11 • Samantha Carson • P/IF • So. • Recorded her first career save against Missouri Southern on March 21 pitching three innings allowing one hit striking out four.
#14 • Taylor Kemp • P • Jr. • Pitched 5-inning shutout against Nebraska-Kearney in an 8-0 win scattering four hits.
#15 • Berkley White • C • Fr. • Has not appeared in any games this season.
#16 • Lauren Thimmesch • P/IF • Sr. • Her 15 home runs is tied for the MIAA lead … has reached base in each of the last 18 games carrying a seven game hitting streak into the MIAA Tourney.
#17 • Cassidy Merriman • 3B/SS • Fr. • Ranks ninth in the MIAA in slugging percentage (.637) … fourth in runs scored (47) … seventh in home runs (11) … 11th in total bases (100) … 12th in assists (100) while second on the team with a .350 batting average.
#18 • Maddie Abbs • IF/OF • Fr. • Has two assists and eight putouts this season in 11 games.
#20 • Taylor Zimmerman • IF • Jr. • Her 10 home runs are tied for third on the team this season.
#21 • Lindsey Marcus • IF/P • Fr. • Has made six pitching appearance this season allowing five earned runs.
#22 • Sierra Kemp • IF • Jr. • Has 15 hits and 6 RBI in 61 at bats this season.

 Last time out for the Ichabods . . . 
(April 26, 2015) MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods wrapped up the regular season with a pair of losses to Northwest Missouri falling 4-3 and 7-4. With the losses, the Ichabods fall to the No. 7 seed in the upcoming MIAA Tournament starting Thursday in Overland Park. 
Game 1 - NWMSU 3, WU 2
In the opener, the Bearcats scored solo runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-0 lead. The Ichabods were scoreless until the seventh inning when Kristen Bell led off the inning with a walk followed by a walk by Taylor Zimmerman. Megan Stegman sent Bell home with a fielder's choice and then Marina Quimby scored Alex Sweeney with a sac fly. The Ichabods' Cassidy Merriman reached on a single to center and Lauren Thimmesch walked puttnig runners at first and second with two outs, but a fielders choice ended the game and the Washburn comeback attempt.
Washburn was limited to four hits in the game with Merriman, Thimmesch, Haylee Marsteller and Sierra Kemp recording the hits.
Thimmemsch fell to 20-7 in the circle striking out five scattering six hits and striking out five.
Game 2 - NWMSU 7, WU 4
The Bearcats scored five of their seven runs in the second inning leading to the 7-4 win as all four of Washburn's runs came on solo home runs and counted for four of the Ichabods' five hits.
Washburn (27-22, 14-12 MIAA) took an early 1-0 lead on Thimmesch's team-high 15th home run of the season. 
After the Bearcats scored five in the second inning and two more in the third inning taking a 7-1 lead.
Zimmerman hit her 10th home run of the season in the fifth inning cutting the lead to 7-2.
In the sixth inning, Quimby hit her seventh home of the season and Merriman hit her 11th of the season following Quimby's home run cutting the lead to three at 7-4, but the Ichabods would have their next six batters retired in the loss.
Taylor Kemp took the loss allowing five runs falling to 2-7 on the season. Quimby pitched five innings allowing two earned runs and five hits.

 Ichabod head coach Vanessa Becerra . . . 
• was named the Washburn Ichabod head softball coach on Aug. 3, 2011 after spending four seasons at Metro State in Denver, Colo., with the final season coming as the head coach. 
• is 79-102 in her fourth season on the bench at Washburn and overall Becerra has recorded a 113-120 mark in her fifth year as a head coach.
• in her lone season as the head coach at Metro State, Becerra led the Roadrunners the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season championship while advancing to the NCAA regional tournament for the third-straight season finishing with a 34-18 record. 
• has coached 12 Ichabods to all-MIAA honors.
• has had 38 Ichabods named to the MIAA's Academic Honor Roll.

 Ichabod softball history. . . 
• The Ichabods are 1093-808-1 in their 46th year of softball. 
• The Ichabods have made three NCAA Tournament appearances (1999, 2006, 2008). 
• Washburn won the 2002 regular season MIAA title.