HAYS, Kan. --- A late push over the final three innings was not enough for the Washburn Ichabod baseball team as its hope for a series sweep were dashed as Fort Hays State edged out a 9-8 victory in the series finale. With the result, the 'Bods slide to 19-13 on the season and 11-10 in MIAA action with 17 games remaining.
 
Trailing 7-0 at the start of the sixth Bowe Behymer put Washburn on the board as his belted a solo shot left field for his first of two home runs on the day.
 
After Fort Hays reclaimed a seven-run margin, the Ichabods reduced the deficit to just two in the seventh. With two outs and bases loaded Riley Krane converted on the 0-2 offering for a three-run RBI double. Krane's stay at second was short-lived as Tanner Triggs recorded an RBI single to cut the Tigers lead to 7-5. Scoring on the hit from Krane was Behymer who reached on a fielder's choice, Darian Abram who was hit with a pitch and Landon Hay who drew a walk.
 
Following the stretch, the Tigers struck twice in the seventh to extend it advantage to 9-5.
 
In effort to create some offense the Ichabods led the ninth with pinch-hitter Daniel Reilly. The moved paid off as the Reilly capitalized on the windy conditions and launched his first home run of the season over the fence in right field. Two batters later, Behymer followed the lead and belted a two-run shot for his third home run of the season to make it 9-8. Abram also scored on the play after getting on-board with a walk.
 
The Washburn rallied then fizzled out as the next three batters retired allowing Fort Hays to hold onto.
 
Quentin McGrath was issued the loss as he allowed five runs with four earned on eights. McGrath also recorded three strikeouts and no walks in 3.1 innings of work. Drew Johnson then made a 1.2 inning appearance before Brock Gilliam, Blake Peterson and Matthew Hicks each made one inning appearances.
 
FHSU pieced together its advantage after pushing across one in the second and fifth with the majority of its runs coming during a four-run fourth helping it assume a 7-0 lead.
 
Krane and Behymer each finished 2-for-5 with three runs batted-in while Behymer accounted for three of WU's eight runs. Hay drew three walks.
 
Friday begins the final three-game set of the season at Falley Field as the Ichabods host Southwest Baptist. First pitch in the series opener is scheduled for 5 p.m.