ST. JOSEPH, Mo. --- Another solid outing from starter Josh Ramirez was not enough for Washburn baseball on Friday as it dropped the series opener with Missouri Western, 2-1, in St. Joseph.
 
The Ichabods (6-11, 1-6 MIAA) were entrenched in a pitchers' duel from the onset as both starters surrendered a combined four hits and one run during the first five innings of the afternoon. Ramirez himself powered through the Missouri Western (8-9, 1-3 MIAA) lineup during the first and second-inning, leaving the Griffons hitless while working efficiently and throwing 16 pitches.
 
Western drew first blood with a two-hit inning in the third that resulted in a 1-0 advantage. The Ichabods notched their first hit in the fourth as Brady Hoover tallied a two-out triple extending his hit streak to a season-high four games.
 
Still trailing 1-0 at the start of the sixth, Washburn tied the game when Hoover slapped a single through the left side scoring Josh Crosby. Darian Abram began the frame with a single but was eventually thrown out at home as Crosby reached on a single.
 
Ramirez continued to be effective for Washburn later into game as he returned to the hill in the seventh and eighth and allowed just one hit while retiring the MWSU side in order during the eighth which marked the end of his day. The right-hander finished the day with a no decision as he posted a pair of strikeouts while conceding one run on four hits and zero walks.
 
Reliever Zach Linquist was issued the loss, as he gave up one run on two hits during the ninth.

Washburn returns to the Griffon Baseball Complex for game two of the series tomorrow at 1 pm.