PITTSBURG, Kan. --- Timely hitting by
Jake Bublitz in the 10th inning helped lift the Washburn Ichabods past Pittsburg State on Thursday, as they overcame three errors to claim a 6-5 victory in the series opener at Al Ortolani Field.
The go-ahead run was setup as
Brady Hoover reached on a lead-off single. After coming in a pinch runner,
Joel Spain advanced to second on the next at-bat on
Bowe Behymer sacrifice. With one-out, Bublitz slapped the first pitch he saw through the left side allowing Spain to come home for the run, which proved to be the difference.
Ichabod reliever
Austin Simpson then slammed the door on the Gorillas' hope of a comeback as he retired the side, punctuated with his third strikeout of the afternoon.
Washburn (10-19, 4-14 MIAA) jumped out to an early lead with runs by
Javis Larson and
Josh Crosby during the first before Bublitz and Steve Jacobson came across in the second.
Pittsburg State (19-11, 11-7 MIAA) then responded with one run in the second before plating three in the third, tying the game at 4-4.
After being held to just two hits over the course of three innings, the Ichabods scored again in the sixth as Bublitz's lead-off single was turned into a run thanks to an RBI by
Jake Hahn to push Washburn out front 5-4.
The Washburn advantage was however shortlived as Pitt State capitalized in teh bottom half of the seventh on a throwing error which eventually resulted in the tying run.
However, the Gorillas were then held hitless for the final three frames. Despite drawing a pair of walks, neither runner was unable to advance into scoring position as Simpson and starter
Josh Ramirez combined to retire nine of final 11 batters.
Ramirez went seven and two-thirds in no decision, allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits, while striking out six. Simpson was awarded the win as tossed two and one-thirds innings.
Offensively, six Ichabods combined for 12 hits with five registering or more. Behymer was a team-best three hits on four plate appearance, while Larson, Bublitz, Hahn, and Crosby had two hits each.
Washburn will look to take a series lead on Friday as it resumes action with game two. First pitch is currently slated for 2 pm.
