KANSAS CITY, Kan. --- Washburn softball began the defense of its 2018 MIAA regular-season crown on Thursday at the KCK Softball Field, sweeping Lincoln in conference action, as it gutted out a 2-1 win in the opener, before tallying a 8-0 win in five innings in game two. The Ichabods (9-11, 2-0 MIAA) will return to action at the KCK Softball Field on Friday when it faces Lindenwood in doubleheader action starting at 10 am.

Game 1: Washburn 2, Lincoln 1
Deadlocked in a scoreless tie, Washburn found itself on the board first with a two-run sixth. Samantha Stallbaumer led the inning off with a single before advancing to second on a stolen base. Two batters, Savannah Moore came through with a hard hit double to left to score Stallbaumer for the opening run. Moore's stay on base though was short as the next batter, Taylor Kirk, push across with an RBI single. 

After threatening with bases loaded in the top half of the sixth, Lincoln (1-11, 0-2 MIAA) cut the Ichabod lead to 2-1 during the seventh, scratching a run across on a throwing error. Washburn starter Raegen Hamm however slammed the door on a comeback retiring the final two batters to score the win. 

As a result, Hamm improved to 7-6 on the year as she went the distance, surrendering five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Offensively, Stallbaumer and Kirk each went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Game 2: Washburn 8, Lincoln 0 (5 inn)
The Ichabods took the gloves in the nightcap, out hitting the Blue Tigers, 11-4, en route to beginning the contest to an early end. 

Stallbaumer and Moore again connected for the opening run with Moore getting RBI. Stallbaumer reached on a lead-off single before again advancing to third on a steal and deep fly out by Brianna Fuchs.

The Ichabods then extended their margin to 5-0 in the third. After reaching on an error to lead-off the frame, Morgan Henry drove Maddie Stipsits home with a double to left. Henry then scored on an RBI-single from Fuchs before Moore pushed Stallbaumer across with sacrifice fly. 

Stipsits then made it 6-0 in the fourth as she launched a shot to left center for her first career home run. The Ichabods then brought the game to a halt with a two-run fifth with runs from Fuchs and Winter Henry.

Ichabod starter Bailey Zuniga (2-2) was credited with the win, throwing five scoreless innings with four hits with one walk and one strikeout. At the plate, Moore finished with three RBI, while Stallbaumer, Fuchs and Winter Henry each recorded a pair of hits.