TOPEKA, Kan. --- The Washburn Ichabods rang in the first day of Spring in style on Tuesday as they scorched MIAA rival Fort Hays State in the series opener, 16-0, in a shortened seven inning contest at Falley Field. A day after posting season-highs in hits and runs, the Ichabods (8-16, 2-12 MIAA) do it again finishing the day with 16 runs on 15 hits, while leaving just three runners stranded.
 
Washburn received scoring contributions from nine different players while eight Ichabods notched at least one hit. Josh Crosby had a stellar day at plate as the senior went 4-for-4, but finished a double over the cycle, as he registered three runs scored and three RBI.
 
Leading 1-0 after the first inning, the Ichabods extended their lead in the second with their first of two five-run innings. Steven Jacobson opened the scoring as a fielding error allowed him to score from second. Reid Greaser then drove in Joel Spain with a single up the middle making 3-0. Another Fort Hays State (9-16, 1-12 MIAA) error allowed Darian Abram and Greaser to both cross home while Javis Larson reached and advantage to second on the play, before making it 6-0 as he scored on a RBI double from Crosby.
 
The hits kept coming for the Ichabods in the third as they plated three runs on four hits. Bowe Behymer began the inning with a lead-off single before singles by Jacobson and Spain advanced him to third. Behymer eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Hahn bumping the Washburn margin to 7-0. Jacobson then touched home on a wild pitch before a sac fly by Greaser scored Spain.
 
After legging out a double in the fourth, Crosby was ushered home by Brady Hoover with a RBI single making 10-0. Following a hit by Behymer and drawn walk by Jacobson to load the bases, Spain then belted a four-run shot over left center for his third home run in two games. The hit by Spain, marked the first grand slam by an Ichabod since Tanner Triggs on March 24, 2017 at Missouri Southern.
 
The Washburn offensive outpouring then came to end in the fifth as Crosby registered a two-run blast for his fourth hit of the day and team-best seventh home run of the season.
 
In addition to Crosby's perfect day at the plate, Jacobson, Spain, Behymer, each finished 2-for-2, while Ryne Ryskoski tallied a pinch-hit single in the sixth in his lone at-bat.
 
On the mound, starter Nick Sloan was throwing dealing as he collected the win and gave up just five hits while working six and third scoreless innings. Sloan was efficient in his appearance as his tossed 81 pitches and posted seven strikeouts. Jack Weller and Ramon Monje each made relief appearances in the seventh.
 
The Ichabods will look to continue their good fortune later this week when they welcome Northwest Missouri State to Falley Field. The three-game series is currently slated to begin Friday with first-pitch at 4 pm.