EDMOND, Okla. --- Washburn baseball were handed a heartbreaking loss on Friday as it dropped the series opener to Central Oklahoma in walk-off fashion as the Bronchos claimed a 4-3 victory.
 
The Ichabods (20-24, 11-20 MIAA) grabbed momentum and took control in the third with consecutive runs from Darian Abram, Riley Krane, and Josh Crosby as they assumed a 3-0 lead. After reaching with a single, Abram crossed home following a shallow shot to center from Krane before a throwing error allowed him to score while Krane advance to third. Krane's stay at third was brief as Crosby drove him in with a double before being pushed across himself by Tanner Triggs.
 
WU starter Nick Silva then retired the UCO side in the third before facing the minimum in the fourth thanks to a double-play. The Bronchos got to the righty in the fifth however and trimmed the deficit to one as a two-out single resulted in a pair of runs to make it 3-2.
 
The 'Bods threatened in the eighth but left two runners stranded. UCO then capitalized on a throwing error allowing a run to come home and tie the ballgame at 3-3.
 
Again in the ninth, Washburn had runners aboard but were unable to push them across as it finished the afternoon with a total of six runner left on base.
 
Central Oklahoma then made the most of a bases loaded situation as a single down the left line completed the rally to steal the victory late.
 
Silva was credited with a no decision as he lasted eight innings and gave up three runs with two earned on nine hits. Zach Linquist was charged with loss as he worked 0.1 inning with two hits and one run.
 
Cole Gardner was the lone Ichabod with multiple hits as he went 2-for-4 from the dish while five other batters filled out the balance of the team's seven hits.
 
The series resumes with game two tomorrow. First-pitch from Wendell Simmons Field is slated for 2 p.m.