TOPEKA, Kan. --- Junior right-hander Josh Ramirez dazzled on Friday at Falley Field as he tossed seven and two-thirds scoreless innings and led the charge as Washburn Ichabod baseball claimed a 3-0 decision against Central Missouri in the series opener to snap a four-game skid.

After allowing just hits during the opening three frames, Ramirez cruised during the middle innings where he retired 10 of the next 12 batters. In the seventh, Ramirez continued to be on-point as he notched his second three-up, three-down inning of the day. 

Ramirez's day came to an end in the eighth as the Mules (10-3, 3-1 MIAA) opened the inning with a lead-off single and fielder's choice, before a two-out walk signified his last batter of the day. It was the second win of the season for the Washburn starter with finished with six strikeouts, four walks and scattered three hits. 

Zach Linquist then maintained the clean slate as he left UCM hitless during the final inning and a third to collect his second save of the save of the season. 

Washburn (6-8, 1-3 MIAA) found itself on the board earlier as Darian Abram's lead off double in the first was converted into a run as Josh Crosby posted his 14th RBI of the season in the first. Abram finished the day 2-for-4 at plate to stretch his consecutive games on-base to 14.

The Ichabods extended their advantage in the fourth as Jake Hahn registered his first career multi-RBI game with a bloop single down the right field line scored Bowe Behymer and Jake Bublitz to make it 3-0. Hahn capped the day 1-for-3 at the plate.

In the ninth, the Mules attempted to threaten the WU margin but laser by Crosby to second to catch a runner stealing combined with stingy pitching Linquist sealed the victory for the Ichabods.

Collectively, Washburn outhit UCM, 6-3, and left just four runners stranded.

The series will continue at Falley Field with game two on Saturday, scheduled for 1 pm.