TOPEKA, Kan. --- A strong start by the Washburn Ichabods was quickly overshadowed by a 10-run fourth inning, which proved too much to overcome on Saturday as they dropped the series finale with Missouri Southern, 15-5.
 
Darian Abram helped Washburn (10-25, 4-20 MIAA) to a 2-0 lead after two innings as the senior outfielder scored in the first following a lead-off hit by pitch, before driving in Steven Jacobson in the second with single through the middle.
 
Abram finished the day 1-for-2 at the plate, as he drew walks in the fourth and sixth innings.
 
Ichabod starter Sam Carver sliced his way with through the Missouri Southern batters early as the lefty was hitless during the first three frames, retiring eight of 10 Lions, including the first six in he faced.
 
However, the Lions got to Carver during the fourth and ended his day at three and two-thirds innings, with nine runs, five earned, on six hits. A nightmarish stanza for WU saw MSSU plate 10 runs on seven hits, while the Ichabods were charged with its first or four errors.
 
A Jake Bublitz solo home run in the fourth provided a small jolt to offense as scored twice more in the fifth with runs by Josh Crosby and Brady Hoover. The spurt however faded in the sixth as Washburn hitters were held without a hit from the sixth inning on and were unable to capitalize on Lion pitching miscues that allowed six batters to reach base.
 
Following their explosive inning, the Lions scored twice more in the fifth and ninth, while pushing one across in the eighth.
 
Jacob Butterfield did well in long relief allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits while working four and third. Nathan Lorenzen also appeared in relief, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits during his one inning of work.
 
Washburn will look to bounced back on Wednesday when it returns to Falley Field to host game two of its series with Emporia State. First pitch is slated for 6 pm.