TOPEKA, Kan. – A strong pitching performance and aggressive base running style carried the Ichabods to a 3-0 win over Northwest Missouri in the second game of the weekend series on Friday, March 11.
 
WU (9-8, 4-4 MIAA) had eight hits in the game, with two each coming from Parker Gibson and Kyle Carnahan.
 
On the mound, Nick Silva (3-0) had the win and threw 7.2 innings of shutout ball, scattering seven hits while striking out seven.  Jacob Head entered in the eighth and closed out the final 1.1 innings of play for his first save of the year, striking out one while not allowing a base runner.
 
Gibson and Carnahan had back-to-back singles with one out in the first, putting runners on the corners.  Carnahan then attempted to steal second, and though he was caught, Gibson sprinted home on the throw down to give the Ichabods the lead.
 
Continued heads-up baserunning helped the Ichabods extend the lead in the fourth, as Carnahan had a bunt single with one out, moved to second on a NWMSU balk and scooted all the way home off a wild pitch and overthrow from the catcher at third, making it 2-0.
 
WU stretched its lead to 3-0 in the fifth after a Bearcat error allowed Mapes to come all the way around from first with one out.  Mapes singled to right center to reach safely, sending Riley Krane to the plate, which laced a single to left field that was misplayed by the outfielder as Mapes raced home.
 
The series finale is set for Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m., from Falley Field. WU will look to win its second MIAA series of the season, tied 1-1 with NWMSU after the Bearcats took the opener on Thursday evening.