WARRENSBURG, Mo. --- Washburn baseball dropped the series opener with Central Missouri, 9-2, on Thursday at Crane Stadium as it was out hit, 10-5.
 
The Ichabods (10-12, 5-8 MIAA) took a 1-0 lead in the third as Rorey Combs and Xavier De Leon successful pulled off a double steal, with De Leon advancing to second while Combs crossed home. Combs began the inning with a lead-off walk before proceeding to second on a single by De Leon, who later advanced to third but was only to be pushed across as the Ichabods stranded five on base.
 
Washburn then scratched a run across in the eighth as Brady Hoover drove Steven Jacobson home for his 22^nd RBI of the year. Jacobson made the most of a Mules' fielding error as he reached third on the play.
 
Ichabod starter Josh Ramirez (2-3) was dealt the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in six inning.
 
Offensively, Lane Harvey was the lone Ichabod to record multiple hits with singles in the second and seventh while also drawing a walk in the fourth. Hoover tripled in the eighth, while Javis Larson singled in the ninth.
 
Ramirez was in control early as he faced the minimum through three frames. He conceded back-to-back hits through in the fourth as UCM tied the game 1-1, but poised as he put away the next six batters faced.
 
A rough sixth inning for Washburn saw the Mules rattled off three runs on three hits as they took a 4-1 lead. Ramon Monje then recorded an out in the seventh surrender two runs in the frame. Bailey Jenkins then made his debut on the mound as he threw the final 1 2/3 innings surrendering three runs in the eighth.
 
The three-game set will resume on Friday as Washburn looks to level the series in game two, first pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.