TOPEKA, Kan. --- The 2018 home baseball schedule began on a sour note Friday as the Washburn Ichabods dropped their home opener at Falley Field to former conference rival, Truman State, 6-4.

After a two-run first for the Bulldogs (1-0) the Ichabods (3-4) answered with an RBI from Josh Crosby before leveling the score in the second with on an unearned run by Jake Bublitz as he crossed home on a wild pitch.

Washburn then plated a run in the fifth and sixth innings each to take a 4-2 advantage. In the fifth, Jake Hahn began the inning with a lead-off double to right center before advancing to third on sacrifice bunt by Abram. Crosby then notched his second RBI later in the frame as he pushed Hahn across on a fielder's choice. Then in the seventh, Jake Bublitz added to the Ichabod effort with a solo shot to left center for his third home run of the season making it 4-2.

The Ichabod margin though was shortlived as the Bulldogs regained a lead in the seventh  with a three-run inning to take a 5-4 advantage before adding one more run in the ninth for good measure.

After surrendering two runs in the first, Washburn starter Josh Ramirez quickly found his groove to the keep the Bulldogs scoreless before coming out after the fifth. Jake Butterfield worked the sixth and seventh before Brock Gilliam took over for the final two frames. Butterfield was issued the loss as he conceded three runs on three hits, while  Ramirez finished the day with three strikeouts, while allowing five hits and three walks.

Collectively, Washburn scored four runs on five hits and left six on base, while TSU finished with 11 hits and six runs and left nine runners stranded. 

Bublitz and Joel Spain were the lone Ichaboods to record multiple hits as each finished the day 2 for 4 at plate. Abram was 0 for 2 in the batter's box with two walks.

Washburn and Truman State will continue the series at Falley Field tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.