TOPEKA, Kan. --- Despite outhitting Northwest Missouri State, 12-7, however the Washburn Ichabods struggled to convert those opportunities into runs as they left 11 runners on base in a 6-3 loss on Friday at Falley Field.

After stranding three runners in scoring position during the opening three frames, the Ichabods (8-18, 2-13 MIAA) put themselves on the board in the fourth as Steven Jacobson was pushed across as Joel Spain grounded out to short cutting the Bearcat lead to 2-1.

NW Missouri (14-12, 10-5 MIAA) however opened its lead to 5-1 with a three-run fifth, before scoring once more in the eighth.

Trailing 6-1, Washburn began to rally in the ninth as Darian Abram and Javis Larson notched back-to-back two-out singles. The Bearcats then botched a routine fly ball to shallow right-center allowing Abram to score from second, while Josh Crosby reached first. In the next at-bat, Brady Hoover slapped an RBI single down the left field line scoring Larson and cut the deficit to three.

The late rally however was silenced turned to its Northwest Missouri closer to seal the victory.

Starter Brock Gilliam was charged with the loss as he allowed three runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts while tossing four and two-third innings. Austin Simpson then worked the next three and two-third innings before Matthew Hicks recorded the outs in the ninth.

Hoover finished the day tying a career-high as he went 4-for-5, while Larson and Jacobson each went 2-for-4 at the plate. 

Washburn will return to action at Falley Field on Saturday as it looks to avoid the sweep in the series finale. First pitch is slated for 1 pm.