TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn dropped its midweek MIAA contest with Fort Hays State, 8-1, on Tuesday, March 22 at Falley Field.  Washburn fell to 12-11 on the year and is now 7-6 in MIAA play.
 
Maustin Otterstatter (0-1) took the loss, throwing four innings with four runs allowed on seven hits, striking out two.  Josh Ramirez pitched the fifth and gave up three runs before Greg Mason tossed a shutdown sixth inning.  Braden Larkey threw two complete and gave up one run before Zach Linquist had a spotless ninth.
 
Eight different Ichabods had a hit on the day, as David Gauntt led the team with a solo home run in the eighth inning.  Zane Mapes had the Ichabods' other extra base hit with his ninth double of the year.
 
Gauntt's eighth home run of the season put WU in the lead in the second, 1-0, but saw that lead disappear in the top of the fourth as FHSU manufactured four runs off of five hits.
 
Down 5-1 after FHSU added another in the fifth, Washburn threated to keep things close by putting runners on second and third with two outs in the inning, but couldn't find the clutch hit to push a run home.
 
After FHSU added two more in the top of the sixth, a pinch hit double for Mapes with two outs in the seventh gave WU another scoring opportunity. The Ichabods, however, were kept off the board the rest of the way as the Tigers plated one more in the eighth to close out the scoring.
 
Washburn opens a three-game series with Missouri Southern on Thursday, March 24.  First pitch is set for 5 p.m.